VAN DE VISSER, Jacob Leendert (Lijsterbeshof 57, CC Papendrecht, NL-3355, NL)
VAN EIJNSBERGEN, Arie Cornelis (Leenweer 19, XN Sliedrecht, NL-3363, NL)
VAN DE VISSER, Jacob Leendert (Lijsterbeshof 57, CC Papendrecht, NL-3355, NL)
| Claims Spud-handling device (11) for manoeuvring a spud between a substantially vertical position and a substantially horizontal position, the spud-handling device comprising: a lifting device (9) which is fixedly connected to a lifting frame (45) in order to move a spud in its vertical position substantially vertically between a highest and a lowest position, a tilting frame (24) which is connected to the lifting frame in order to determine a tilting axle (13) about which the spud can be tilted, a tilting device (10) which is connected to the tilting frame (24) in order to tilt the spud about the tilting axle (13), in which the tilting device (10) is designed so as, in use, to engage with the lifting device (9) for tilting a spud. Spud-handling device according to Claim 1, in which the lifting device comprises a lifting clamp (15) and in which the tilting device (10), in use, engages with the lifting clamp (15) in order to tilt a spud. Spud-handling device according to Claim 1 or 2, in which the lifting device (9) comprises a holding clamp (14) connected to the lifting frame (45) in order to hold a spud in an intermediate position between the highest and the lowest positions, and in which the tilting device (10), in use, engages with the holding clamp (14) in order to tilt a spud. Spud-handling device according to Claim 3, in which the tilting device (10) for tilting a spud only engages with the lifting clamp (15) and the holding clamp (14) of the lifting device (9). Spud-handling device according to Claim 4, in which one of either the lifting device (9) or the tilting device (10) engages with the holding clamp (14) and the lifting clamp (15), the tilting device in order to tilt the spud about the tilting axle (13), the lifting device in order to move the spud in its vertical position substantially vertically between a highest and a lowest position. 6. Spud-handling device according to a preceding claim, in which the tilting device (10) comprises a tilting arm (16) which is hingedly connected to the tilting frame (24). 7. Spud-handling device according to Claim 6, in which, at its end, the tilting arm (16) is connected to the tilting frame (24). 8. Spud-handling device according to a preceding claim, in which the tilting device, in use, engages with the lifting device by means of a connection (52) for transmitting forces in order to tilt a spud. 9. Spud-handling device according to Claim 8, in which the connection (52) comprises a pin (21, 43) which extends substantially in a recess (38, 23). 10. Spud-handling device according to Claim 9, in which a first pin (21) extends, in use, in the length direction of a spud and a second pin (43) extends substantially transversely with respect to the length direction of a spud. 11. Spud-handling device according to a Claim 10, in which the tilting arm comprises the recess (23, 38) and the first (21) or second pin (43). 12. Spud-handling device according to a preceding claim, in which the tilting device comprises a drive device (17), in one specific embodiment a hydraulic cylinder (17). 13. Spud-handling device according to a Claim 6-12, to the extent that it is dependent on Claim 6, in which the tilting arm (16) is hingedly connected to the drive device (17) at an opposite end. 14. Spud-handling device according to Claim 12, in which the hydraulic cylinder comprises a measuring element for controlling the handling of a spud. 15. Spud-handling device according to Claim 14, in which the measuring element comprises one or more sensors from the group comprising pressure sensors, displacement sensors and speed sensors. 16. Vessel provided with a spud-handling device according to a preceding claim. 17. Assembly of a spud and a spud-handling device according to a preceding claim. 18. Method for tilting a spud (3) between a substantially vertical position and a substantially horizontal position comprising engaging, by means of a tilting device (10), with a lifting device (9) for tilting the spud (3). -o-o-o-o-o-o- |
Background of the invention The invention relates to a spud-handling device for manoeuvring a spud between a substantially vertical position and a substantially horizontal position.
NL 23582 discloses a spud-tilting device in which the spud pile is provided with a removable shaft, by means of which the spud rests in a seat attached to a spud carriage and which makes it possible to tilt the spud into a horizontal position.
A drawback of this known spud-tilting device is that the tilting operation requires a relatively large amount of manual handling and is therefore laborious. In addition, the removable shaft is difficult to handle manually due to its weight, in particular when tilting heavy spuds. Moreover, the tilting operation is relatively uncontrolled, in particular when the spud is pulled over in a customary manner by means of a winch. Furthermore, fitting a removable shaft in holes in the spud causes cracks to form in the spud at the location of the holes. DE 2708693 A I relates to a pontoon provided with an opening, a so-called port, through which a spud can be passed in a sliding manner. A lifting device is provided to lift the spud into the port and lower it. A tilting device is connected to the port for tilting the spud. One drawback is the fact that the facilities for tilting and lifting the spud are relatively complex and large.
JP 60035684 A relates to a vessel without a dedicated propulsion installation. The vessel is provided with a spud. This spud is tilted through a limited revolution by means of a tilting device for moving the vessel over a short distance. The tilting device has clamps which are fixedly connected to the tilting device.
JP 61092992 A relates to a spud-tilting device. The tilting device has two gear racks, both of which are moved to and fro by a driving wheel which is connected to a hydraulic cylinder. The spud is tilted by cables which are attached selectively to the gear racks and the racks are fixed selectively. One drawback is the fact that the tilting device is relatively complex and requires many operations in order to tilt a spud.
JP 55094882 A relates to a ship provided with a spud and a crane. The spud is brought into a horizontal position by means of cables. One drawback is that due to the fact that cables are used for tilting, the process can not be controlled to a sufficient degree.
JP 55094881 A relates to a lifting device for a spud. When tilting the spud, the entire lifting device also tilts in the same direction, which makes it a difficult and complex procedure.
JP 048084 A relates to a lifting device for a spud. A cylinder is fixedly connected to the lifting device for tilting the entire lifting device with spud, which makes it a difficult and complex procedure.
Summary of the invention
It is an object of the invention to provide an alternative spud-handling device. It is a further object of the invention to provide an improved spud-handling device.
Yet a further object of the invention is to provide a spud-handling device by means of which a spud can be tilted in a relatively simple and controlled way. Controlling the tilting process is of great importance as a spud can, in practice, weigh from tens of tons to hundreds of tons.
To this end, the invention provides a spud-handling device for manoeuvring a spud between a substantially vertical position and a substantially horizontal position, the spud-handling device comprising:
- a lifting device which is fixedly connected to a lifting frame in order to move a spud in its vertical position substantially vertically between a highest and a lowest position, - a tilting frame which is connected to the lifting frame in order to determine a tilting axle about which the spud can be tilted,
- a tilting device which is connected to the tilting frame in order to tilt the spud about the tilting axle,
in which the tilting device is designed so as, in use, to engage with the lifting device for tilting a spud.
The engagement of the tilting device with the lifting device offers possibilities for synergy, such as for example dual use of functional parts, as well as possibilities for improved ease of handling of the spud. Means which are required in order to engage with the heavy spud for tilting a spud are in this case partly incorporated in the lifting device, which offers significant advantages. The savings in terms of material and therefore weight are advantageous. In addition, more extensive automation is possible, thus further avoiding manual labour.
In one embodiment of the spud-handling device according to the invention, the lifting device comprises a lifting clamp, with the tilting device, in use, engaging with the lifting clamp in order to tilt a spud. By using the lifting clamps for both the lifting device and the tilting device, synergy occurs and the handling of the spud is improved.
In one embodiment of the spud-handling device according to the invention, the lifting device comprises a holding clamp connected to the lifting frame in order to hold a spud in an intermediate position between the highest and the lowest positions, with the tilting device, in use, engaging with the holding clamp in order to tilt a spud. By using the holding clamps for both the lifting device and the tilting device, a further synergy is created and the handling of the spud is improved further.
In one embodiment of the spud-handling device according to the invention, the tilting device for tilting a spud only engages with the lifting clamp and the holding clamp of the lifting device. One significant advantage thereof is that a spud can be tilted without intervention of other parts which are difficult to handle. In addition, the lifting device for the rest does not tilt along with the spud, thus simplifying the tilting of the spud. In one embodiment of the spud-handling device according to the invention, one of either the lifting device or the tilting device engages with the holding clamp and the lifting clamp, the tilting device in order to tilt the spud about the tilting axle, the lining device in order to move the spud in its vertical position substantially vertically between a highest and a lowest position. This simplifies the spud-handling device as the holding clamp and lifting clamp are suitable for dual use, that is to say, suitable for interacting with of within the lifting device and with the tilting device. Since only either the lifting device or the tilting device engages with the lifting clamp and the holding clamp, in the first case the tilting device is not lifted concomitantly and in the second case the lining device is not tilted concomitantly, which is very advantageous when using the handling device.
In one embodiment of the spud-handling device according to the invention, the spud- handling device comprises a tilting arm which is hingedly connected to the tilting frame. The use of a tilting arm offers the possibility for the holding clamp and the lining clamp to engage the spud at a distance apart. This makes it possible to bring the tilting axle closer to the centre of gravity of the spud, thus simplifying tilting of the spud. In one embodiment of the spud-handling device according to the invention, the tilting arm is, at its end, connected to the tilting frame, and in one embodiment the tilting arm is hingedly connected to the tilting device at an opposite end. In this way, the length of the tilting arm is used in an optimum manner. In one embodiment of the spud-handling device according to the invention, the tilting device, in use, engages with the lifting device by means of a connection.
In one embodiment of the spud-handling device according to the invention, the connection comprises a pin which extends substantially in a recess. Forces for tilting are then transmitted through the pin.
In one embodiment of the spud-handling device according to the invention, a first pin, in use, extends in the length direction of a spud and a second pin extends substantially transversely with respect to the length direction of a spud. This orientation of the first and second pins results in a degree of freedom which makes it possible to handle the spud and then to transmit the forces to a spud in a predictable manner in order to tilt a spud.
In one embodiment of the spud-handling device according to the invention, the tilting arm and/or the lifting clamp comprises the recess and the first or second pin. In one embodiment, both the tilting frame and the lifting clamp comprise a recess, with both recesses forming part of the connection for transmitting forces in order to tilt a spud.
In one embodiment of the spud-handling device according to the invention, the tilting device comprises a drive device and the drive device comprises a hydraulic cylinder.
In one embodiment of the spud-handling device according to the invention, the hydraulic cylinder comprises a measuring element for controlling the handling of a spud.
In one embodiment of the spud-handling device according to the invention, the measuring element comprises one or more sensors from the group comprising pressure sensors, displacement sensors and speed sensors.
The invention furthermore provides a vessel provided with a spud-handling device according to the invention.
The invention furthermore provides an assembly of a spud and a spud-handling device according to the invention.
The invention furthermore provides a method for tilting a spud between a substantially vertical position and a substantially horizontal position, comprising engaging, by means of a tilting device, with a lifting device for tilting the spud.
In one embodiment of the method, only one of either the lifting device or the tilting device engages with a holding clamp and a lifting clamp, the tilting device in order to tilt the spud about a tilting axle, the lifting device in order to move the spud in its vertical position substantially vertically between a highest and a lowest position. In other words, either the lifting device or the spud-tilting device engages with the spud by means of the holding clamp and the lifting clamp.
The invention furthermore provides a device provided with one or more of the characterizing measures which are described in the attached description and/or illustrated in the attached drawings. The invention furthermore provides a method comprising one or more of the characterizing steps described in the attached description and/or illustrated in the attached drawings.
It will be clear that the various aspects mentioned in the present patent application can be combined and may each be considered individually for a divisional patent application.
Short description of the figures The attached figures illustrate various embodiments of a spud-handling device according to the invention, in which:
Fig. la shows a side view of a vessel provided with a known spud;
Fig. lb shows a top view of the vessel from Fig. la;
Figs. 2a-f show a side view of the spud-handling device according to the invention in different stages during tilting of a spud;
Fig. 3a shows a side view of a lifting clamp;
Fig. 3b shows a top view of the lifting clamp from Fig. 3a;
Fig. 4a shows a top view of a holding clamp;
Fig. 4b shows a front view of the holding clamp from Fig. 4a;
Fig. 4c shows a side view of the holding clamp from Fig. 4a. Description of embodiments
Fig. la shows a side view of a vessel 1 provided with a known spud 3, Fig. lb shows a top view of the vessel 1 from Fig. la. The dredging vessel 1 is provided with a dredging device 4, in this case comprising a cutter head 5 and a suction line 6. The force which is required at the cutter head 5 is transmitted via the spud pile 3. The spud 3 is held by a spud carriage 8, here illustrated diagrammatically. The spud carriage 8 is advanced, by means of a diagrammatically and partly illustrated spud carriage drive 7, in the U-shaped recess 2 in the dredging vessel 1. When the spud carriage 8 is at its end at the periphery of the vessel 1, the auxiliary spud 3a is lowered to the bottom, and the spud 3 is lifted from the bottom and taken to its end position by means of the spud carriage 8 in the direction of the centre of the dredging vessel 1.
Figures 2a-f show a side view of the spud-handling device 11 according to the invention in various stages of tilting a spud 3. In connection with the navigational properties of the dredging vessel 1, such as draught and stability, there is a need to be able to tilt the spud 3 from its vertical position to a horizontal position. Fig. 2a shows the spud 3 in its vertical position. The spud 3 can be manoeuvred in its vertical position by means of a lifting device 9. The lifting device 9 is connected to the spud carriage 8, also referred to as pile carriage 8, by means of a lifting frame 45. The lifting frame 45 extends from the spud carriage 8 up to the level of the lifting platform 18. The lifting device 9 here comprises a lifting cylinder 49 which is fixedly connected to the lifting frame 45 and which engages with the spud 3 by means of a running wheel 50, also referred to as cable pulley 50, a cable and a lifting clamp 15 in order to manoeuvre the spud 3 in a vertical position between a highest position and a lowest position. In the lowest position, the spud 3 engages with the bottom. The lifting device 9 furthermore comprises a holding clamp 14 which is connected to the lifting frame 45 and rests on the latter. The holding clamp 14 engages with the spud 3 in order to keep the latter in a fixed position between two lifting stages or, for example, when the spud carriage 8 is travelling.
The spud-handling device 11 furthermore comprises a spud-tilting device 10 in order to tilt the spud 3 between a vertical position and a horizontal position. The spud-tilting device 10 comprises a tilting frame 24, also referred to as tilting tower 24, which is fixedly connected to the spud carriage 8. The tilting frame 24 extends upwards from the spud carriage 8, and in this case extends beyond the lifting frame 45 up to the level of the tilting platform 12. The tilting frame 24 determines the tilting axle 13 about which the spud 3 tilts. The tilting device 10 furthermore comprises a tilting arm 16. In the horizontal position, the tilting arm 16 rests on the tilting platform 12 of the tilting frame 24. At its end facing the spud 3, the tilting arm 16 is hingedly connected to the tilting frame 24 by means of a bearing means which is known per se. This bearing means determines the tilting axle 13. The tilting arm 16 is provided with engagement means 21, 22, 23 for engaging with the lifting device 9. Here, these engagement means 21, 22, 23 form part of the connection 52 between the tilting arm 16 and the lifting device 9 for transmitting forces to the spud 3 in order to tilt the latter. In this case, the engagement means 21, 22, 23 are provided near the tilting axle 13 and near the end of the tilting arm 16 which is situated opposite the tilting axle 13. The engagement means 21, 22, 23 here consist of a hook 22 which is situated near the tilting axle 13 and comprises a receiving space 23 and a pin 21. In this case, the receiving space 23 is suitable for receiving a pin 43 which extends substantially transversely to the length direction of the spud 3. The pin 43 forms part of the lifting device 9. The pin 21 which is situated near the end of the tilting arm 16 opposite the tilting axle 13 here extends in the length direction of the spud 3 and engages with a hole 38 which forms part of the lifting device 9.
In other words, the holding clamp 14 and the lifting clamp 15 together form a clamping device for a spud 3 which clamping device forms part of the lifting device 9 and cooperates with the remainder of the lifting device 9. The clamping device is provided with means which are suitable for being engaged with or within the lifting device 9 and with the spud-tilting device 10. In use, either the lifting device 9 engages directly with the clamping device for lifting a spud 3, or the spud-tilting device 10 engages directly with the clamping device for tilting the spud 3. Thus, in use, either the spud-tilting device 10 or the lifting device 9 engages with the spud 3 by means of the clamping device, specifically only by means of the clamping device.
Figs. 2a to 2f show the spud-handling device 11 in various stages of tilting between a vertical position and a horizontal position. The following steps are taken successively. Before the spud 3 is tilted, the spud 3 has been lifted in position. The tilting arm 16 is in the horizontal position and rests on the tilting platform 12. The holding clamp 14 is connected to the spud 3 in a clamping manner. The spud 3 is lifted up, together with the holding clamp 14, by the lifting device 9. In this case, the holding clamp 14 comes away from the lifting platform 18. The spud 3 is lifted to a position in which the holding clamp 14 is situated beyond the tilting arm 16. The tilting arm 16 is now tilted, by means of hydraulic cylinder 17, about the tilting axle 13 to the spud 3 with space being left between the tilting arm 16 and the spud 3 so that the lifting clamp 15 can pass. The spud 3 with the holding clamp 14 is then lowered (Fig. 2b) so that pin 43 from Fig. 4a-c drops into the receiving space 23 of the hook 22. Then, the lifting clamp 15 is lifted up, in this case without spud 3, beyond the tilting arm 16. The tilting arm 16 is tilted as far as the spud 3 (Fig. 2c). The lifting clamp, here without spud 3, is then lowered, with the pin 21 engaging with the lifting clamp 15. The pin 21 here engages with a hole 38 from Fig. 3b provided in the lifting clamp 15. Here, a securing device is provided in the form of a cable 19 which ensures that the lifting clamp 15 remains in clamping engagement with the spud 3 (Fig. 2d). Fig. 2e is a detail of Fig. 2d. The spud 3 is then tilted about tilting axle 13 from its vertical position to its horizontal position by means of the hydraulic cylinder 17 (Fig. 2f). In this case, the spud 3 is handled in such a manner that the point of gravity of the spud 3 is at the tilting axle 13, preferably inside the length of the tilting arm 16.
Fig. 3a shows a side view of a lifting clamp 15. Fig. 3b shows a top view of the lifting clamp 15. Here, the lifting clamp 15 consists of two clamping halves 25, 26 and folding arms 27. The lifting cable (not shown) is attached to the lifting eye 35 which is provided in the lip 34. The two clamping halves 25, 26 are connected to one another by means of two folding arms 27. The two folding arms 27 are hingedly connected to the clamping halves 25, 26. If a lifting force is exerted on the lifting eye 35, this lifting force is amplified by the lever effect of the folding arms 27 exerted by means of the clamping halves 25, 26 on the outer periphery 46 of the spud 3. In order to improve the engagement of the lifting clamp 15 with the spud 3 further, the clamping halves 25, 26 are here divided into clamping quarters 28a, 28b, and 29a, 29b which pivot with respect to one another. Here, the lifting clamp 15 is provided with clamping shoes 36a-d on the clamping quarters 28a, 28b, 29a and 29b in order to improve the engagement of the lifting clamp 15 with the spud 3 further. The lifting clamp 15 here comprises two holes 38 for engagement of the tilting device 10 with the lifting device 9 from Fig. 2a-e. The hole 13 is provided here by arranging a hollow cylindrical pipe part 37 in a clamping half 26. The steel pipe part 37 and the lifting clamp 15 are in this case connected to one another by means of welding techniques.
Figs. 4a-c respectively show a top view of the holding clamp 14, a front view of the holding clamp 14 and a side view of the holding clamp 14. The holding clamp 14 forms part of the lifting device 9 from Figs. 2a-e. In this case, the holding clamp 14 consists of two clamping halves 40, 41. The clamping halves 40, 41 are connected to one another by means of two short-stroke hydraulic cylinders 39 which move the clamping halves 40, 41 with respect to one another between a position in which the spud 3 is clamped and a position in which the spud 3 is released. The hydraulic cylinders 39 are hingedly connected to the clamping halves 40, 41. Here, the clamping halves 40, 41 are divided into mutually hinging clamping quarters 47a, 47b, 48a and 48b which pivot with respect to one another and are connected by means of hinges 42 and the hydraulic cylinders 39 in order to further improve engagement of the holding clamp 14 with the spud 3. The holding clamp 14 is provided here with clamping shoes 44a-d on the clamping quarters 47a, 47b, 48a and 48b in order to improve the engagement of the holding clamp 14 with the spud 3 in the position clamping the spud 3 still further. The holding clamp 14 here comprises two pins 43 with which the tilting device 10 from Figs. 2a-f engages. The pins 43 are provided here on two adjacent clamping quarters 47b, 48b. The pins 43 partly extend beyond the periphery of the clamping quarters 47b, 48b. The pins 43 are connected to the clamping quarters 47b, 48b by means of welding techniques. When the holding clamp 14 is connected to the lifting platform 18, the holding clamp 14 rests on the lifting platform 18 by means of support means 51.
It will be clear that the above description has been given in order to illustrate the functioning of preferred embodiments of the invention, and not in order to limit the scope of the invention. On the basis of the above explanation, many variations which fall within the spirit and the scope of the present invention will be obvious to a person skilled in the art.
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