Description

MOBILE HARBOR FOR MARINE TRANSPORTATION

SYSTEM

Technical Field

[1] The present invention relates to a mobile harbor capable of loading and unloading cargo to/from a ship anchored in the sea far from the shore, without bringing the ship alongside the pier of a stationary harbor. Background Art

[2] The competitiveness of goods depends many factors, including effective and efficient transportation systems that deliver goods to customers on a requested delivery schedule. Various transportation systems are being used to distribute goods rapidly and effectively at low cost. Marine transportation systems are responsible for a large fraction of international trades, since ships provide one of the most energy- and cost- effective means of transportation for heavy and bulky freights, e.g., containers, liquids, gases, and coal. Many ships are becoming larger to be more cost effective. Container ships that are used for marine transportation, for example, are becoming larger to lower the transport cost by improving the overall efficiency. Therefore, a harbor has to be able to accommodate these larger ships that are wider, longer and deeper, including a moorage and lowering facility. In addition to the pier for these large ships, the harbor requires deep water to accommodate the passage of these large container ships.

[3]

Disclosure of Invention Technical Problem

[4] However, there are not many harbors that can service these large ships because of the size of the pier, shallow depth of water, and limited land space. The construction of such harbors is costly. Many harbors, especially along the shore of the Yellow Sea, are too shallow to allow these large ships to navigate into the harbor. In order to construct a large harbor for these large ships, a large area with deep water is required, i.e., a sufficiently large tract of land for container yards and subsidiary facilities. The adverse impact on environment of building a large harbor may make the construction of a new harbor more difficult in many parts of the world.

[5] Furthermore, since the loading and unloading of cargo is concentrated on a small number of large harbors, land transportation of cargo is an important consideration in constructing a stationary harbor. Traffic jam due to the increase in the number of vehicles for transporting cargo and the damage to the roads may burden the national or a local government with the cost of maintaining the infrastructure.

[6] The rate of loading and unloading is a major issue since it determines the overall cost. Since loading and unloading to/from a container ship are performed at one side and only at a small portion of the length of the ship that are moored along at a long pier of a harbor, the efficiency of loading and unloading is inherently low, tying up the pier for a long time. Technical Solution

[7] An aspect of the present invention is to let a mobile harbor go out to the ship anchored in the open sea to load and unload cargo from the ship without occupying a pier of a land-based harbor for an extended period of time rather than having the ship come into a stationary harbor for loading and unloading of cargo.

[8] Another aspect of the present invention is to provide a mobile harbor capable of loading and unloading cargo to/from a large ship to the stationary land-based harbor without a container quay by pre-loading the cargo in movable freight cars placed on the mobile harbor which is quickly moved onto and removed from the mobile harbor.

[9] Still another aspect of the present invention is to provide a mobile harbor capable of getting close to both sides of a large ship to reduce loading and unloading time of cargo.

[10] Yet another aspect of the present invention is to provide a mobile harbor capable of providing a structure that can be used in an inland canal passing through an inland area so as to directly transport containers or goods to the vicinity of destinations after unloading from a large ship.

[11] The present invention provides a mobile harbor including a self -propulsion means, a berth structure, and a loading and unloading apparatus such as a robot. The mobile harbor can get close to a ship anchored in an outer port of the sea far from the land to join or be attached to the hull of the ship using a self- attaching mechanism, and then, can unload containers or cargo from the ship to the mobile harbor and vice versa.

[12] In addition, the mobile harbor can get a container ship close to the hull using a global positioning system (GPS) and maintain its attitude through a large gyroscopic apparatus and a stabilizer even though large waves are generated.

Advantageous Effects

[13] As can be seen from the foregoing, the present invention provides the following effects.

[14] A mobile harbor in accordance with the present invention including a crane and a berth structure can rapidly load and unload cargo from both sides of a ship anchored in an outer port. Loading and unloading of containers and cargo from the wharf to the mobile harbor and vice versa are performed after the mobile harbor comes along the pier.

[15] Containers can be loaded and unloaded in a harbor, in which there is no container wharfs, to distribute vehicles for inland transportation to prevent traffic congestion around the container ship wharf and enable effective and rapid cargo transportation, thereby preventing environmental destruction due to development of a large harbor. [16] Meanwhile, when the mobile harbor is designed to include the structure that can use a canal passing through the inland, it is possible to directly transport container cargo from a large ship to the vicinity of destinations. Therefore, physical distribution cost can be reduced and environment can be preserved by energy saving and reduction in

CO2 emission. In addition, the mobile harbor may also include a passenger room and observation windows to function as a cargo ship and an excursion ship through a canal passing through the inland.

Brief Description of the Drawings [17] The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be more apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: [18] FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing a platform and other components a basic mobile harbor; [19] FIG. 2 shows a schematic view showing the mobile harbor, in which cargo is loaded on a ship through both sides thereof using a crane or a robot; [20] FIG. 3 depicts a schematic view showing the mobile harbor, in which cargo is loaded and unloaded to the pier using a crane or a robot; [21] FIG. 4 represents a schematic view showing a parallel type mobile harbor, in which cargo is loaded at both sides of a ship using a loading and unloading apparatus; [22] FIG. 5 is a front view of a telescoped loading and unloading apparatus of a mobile harbor that can be separated; [23] FIG. 6 depicts a front view of a telescoped loading and unloading apparatus of a mobile harbor, the width and elevation of which are adjustable; [24] FIG. 7 represents a front view and a side view showing the parallel type mobile harbor, in which cargo is loaded at both sides of the ship using a loading and unloading apparatus; [25] FIG. 8 shows a front view and a side view showing the parallel type mobile harbor, in which cargo is loaded at both sides of the wharf using a loading and unloading apparatus; [26] FIG. 9 depicts a schematic view showing a process of unloading cargo to a trailer when the mobile harbor comes alongside the quay; [27] FIG. 10 is a schematic view showing a process of loading cargo from a H-shaped mobile harbor to two ships; and

[28] FIG. 11 is a schematic view showing a process of unloading cargo from the pier of the H-shaped mobile harbor to the wharf using a plurality of loading and unloading apparatuses. Mode for the Invention

[29] Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[30] As shown in FIG. 1, a mobile harbor 1 in accordance with the present invention is a system for loading and unloading cargo such as containers from a ship. The mobile harbor 1 includes a control tower 100, a platform 200 having equipment for loading and unloading cargo, a shock-absorbing coupler 300, a float system 400 for uniformly maintaining the elevation of the platform from the surface of the water, a stabilizer 500 for maintaining balance of the platform, a positioning system 600 for determining the position of the mobile harbor, and a self-propulsion means 700.

[31] The platform 200 has a structure that supports facilities used for loading or unloading containers and safely conveys the containers. As shown in FIG. 1, the platform 200 is configured to have the length in one direction (x-direction) smaller than that in the other direction (y-direction). Both ends in the y-direction of the platform 200 may have substantially triangular shapes such that the mobile harbor can readily and stably come alongside the pier or be coupled to a ship. Weight of the platform 200 can be decreased by using a sandwich structure. In addition, the platform may be designed such that it can come alongside the pier or run in a shallow sea adjacent to a harbor or a canal.

[32] The platform 200 may include at least one rail track 210 on which a cargo train moves. The rail track 210 may be symmetrically disposed to maintain horizontal balance of the platform 200. Loading and unloading of cargo is controlled to maintain uniform load distribution. In addition, a turn table 220 for rotating the container, a crane or a robot for loading or unloading the container on a ship may be disposed on the platform 200 of the mobile harbor 1.

[33] The shock-absorbing coupler 300 for coupling the mobile harbor 1 to a ship or a wharf may be suction cups. The suction cups may have a small range of relative displacement in a state in which the mobile harbor 1 is coupled to the ship or the wharf. The suction cups are disposed along both sides of the platform 200. The suction cups may use a vacuum or magnetic force to generate a coupling force, and may use a flexible material such as rubber or a hydraulic cylinder to allow a small range of relative displacement. When the mobile harbor gets close to the ship in an x-direction shown in FIG. 1 to make the suction cups in contact with the ship, the suction cups make the mobile harbor in contact with the ship by a suction method, for example, using vacuum. When the suction cups are formed of a flexible material, a small range

of relative displacement between the platform 200 and the ship is allowed.

[34] The float system 400 functions to substantially and uniformly maintain a vertical position (z-direction) of the platform 200 regardless of the weight of the cargo on the platform 200. The float system may be, for example, a ballast tank. The ballast tank or a prepared water tank maintains the upper surface of the platform from the surface of the water by adjusting the amount of the water in the tank, regardless of variation in weight of the containers or cargo.

[35] The platform 200 may include a stabilizer 500 for maintaining balance of the platform. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the stabilizer 500 is installed at a lower surface of the platform 200, and has a rectangular shape having large lengths in y- and z-directions and a small width in the x-direction. Therefore, it is possible to measure the position of the mobile harbor 1 in real time and vary the angle of the stabilizer 500 to adjust the position of the mobile harbor 1. In order to prevent influence due to strong waves and tides, the stabilizer 500 includes many pores in the x-direction. In addition, seawater can pass through the pores when the mobile harbor 1 gets close to the ship in the x-direction. An attitude control device (not shown) such as a gyroscopic device may assist to stably maintain the attitude of the platform 200.

[36] The mobile harbor 1 includes a positioning system 600, for example, a global positioning system (GPS) to locate the mobile harbor 1 in real time. The running direction of the mobile harbor 1 may be controlled by information from the positioning system 600. When the GPS is used, a plurality of GPS sensors may be installed the respective corners of the mobile harbor 1.

[37] The mobile harbor 1 includes a self-propulsion means 700 to move between the wharf and the ship or to be coupled to the ship or the pier of the wharf. As shown in FIG. 1, the self-propulsion means 700 may be a propeller having a rotary shaft parallel to the y-axis. The self-propulsion means 700 can move the mobile harbor 1 in a longitudinal direction (y-direction) and a width direction (x-direction). In this embodiment, when the mobile harbor 1 moves between the wharf and the ship, it moves by the propeller operated about the y-axis. When the mobile harbor 1 is not far from the ship or the wharf, the propeller is rotated in the x-direction to move the mobile harbor in the width direction. Propellers providing propulsion in the respective directions may also be installed. In order to rapidly move the cargo in a shallow harbor or canal, a propulsion apparatus such as a hovercraft propulsion apparatus or a hydrofoil propulsion apparatus may be used.

[38] The control tower 100 is designed as a substantially high structure in order to obtain a viewing angle for operating the mobile harbor 1, loading/unloading cargo, and performing other functions. Therefore, it is possible to operate the mobile harbor 1 and control a process of loading and unloading the cargo such as containers in real time.

The control tower 100 controls and supervises most of functions of the mobile harbor as follows: propulsion of the mobile harbor, manipulation of the platform, loading and unloading of cargo using a robot or other equipments, alignment of the platform to the ship, communications, and so on.

[39]

[40] Design of the present invention can be verified by the Axiomatic Design Theory. Functional requirements of the mobile harbor are as follows.

[41]

[42] FRl = Carry the load, i.e., cargo

[43] FR2 = Propel the mobile harbor

[44] FR3 = Steer the mobile harbor

[45] FR4 = Maintain the relative elevation of the mobile harbor

[46] FR5 = Locate the mobile harbor and couple to the ship of the wharf

[47] FR6 = Couple to the ship

[48] FR7 = Load the cargo

[49] FR8 = Stabilize the ship

[50] FR9 = Rapidly load and unload the cargo at the stopped mobile harbor

[51] FR 10 = Locate the ship

[52]

[53] Design parameters for satisfying the above requirements are as follows.

[54] DPI = Platform/float system

[55] DP2 = Motor/propeller

[56] DP3 = Propeller that can be steered about the z-axis

[57] DP4 = Float system using water distribution in the ballast tank

[58] DP5 = Triangular ends

[59] DP6 = Suction cups that allow small three-dimensional displacement

[60] DP7 = Robotized loaders

[61] DP8 = Railroad/freight cars

[62] DPlO = GPS

[63]

[64] Design matrix of FR and DP will be represented as follows:

[65]

[66] Table 1

[Table 1] [Table ]

[67] [68] In the above table, X represents strong relationship, x represents weak relationship, and 0 represents no relationship.

[69] Although FRl and DP4 have weak relationship in the above table, if it is determined that the platform and the float system have only one FR for moving cargo, it is decoupled design and preferred design from the viewpoint of the Axiom Design Theory.

[70] [71] Exemplary embodiments to which concept of the above-mentioned mobile harbor are applied will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Structures of the respective mobile harbors basically include components shown in FIG. 1, and description thereof will not be repeated in the following figures.

[72] FIG. 2 is a schematic view showing the mobile harbor in accordance with a first exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Two mobile harbors 1 including conveyance apparatuses 230, respectively, are disposed in parallel at both sides of a ship 2 to unload cargo from both sides of the ship 2. The mobile harbors 1 are operated by the self-propulsion means 700 and the GPS, and firmly coupled to both sides of the ship 2 using the shock-absorbing couplers 300 after the mobile harbors 1 get close to the ship 2 anchored in an outer port or the open sea. When the mobile harbors 1 are fixed, the containers can be simultaneously loaded and unloaded at both sides of the ship 2 to increase operation speed. The platform of the mobile harbor includes a plurality of rollers, a rail track 210, a turn table 220, and an automated warehouse

system such that containers can be readily conveyed in the mobile harbor.

[73] The conveyance apparatus 230 may use a crane or a robot.

[74] Operation of loading and unloading containers from a wharf to a ship and vice versa using the mobile harbor in accordance with the present invention will be described below. As shown in FIG. 3, the mobile harbor comes alongside one quay of the wharf 3. Next, the containers are rotated by 90° using the turntable 220 installed at the platform of the mobile harbor. Then, the containers can be loaded/unloaded in a longitudinal direction of the mobile harbor using the conveyance apparatus 230. The mobile harbor may be designed using a stacker crane concept to load the containers in a multi-layered manner, or directly load or unload the containers on/from a trailer after parking the trailer on the mobile harbor.

[75] FIG. 4 illustrates a second exemplary embodiment in accordance with the present invention. While the mobile harbor in accordance with a second exemplary embodiment of the present invention is the same as the first embodiment in that the two mobile harbors are attached in parallel to both sides of the ship, a method of loading and unloading containers is different from the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 4, the mobile harbor employs a loading and unloading apparatus 800 when cargo is loaded and unloaded. The loading and unloading apparatus, which is mainly used in a dockyard, can move along a rail provided on the platform of the mobile harbor in a y- direction, and conveys cargo using a small crane in an x-direction. It is more effective in conveyance time and distance when the cargo is conveyed by a large crane. The height and width of the loading and unloading apparatus 800 of the mobile harbor can be adjusted by a width and height adjustment device depending on the size of the ship. When the two mobile harbors can be separated, a loading and unloading mechanism 800a may be separated as shown in FIG. 5 when the mobile harbor conveys cargo. In addition, as shown in FIG. 6, when the two mobile harbors cannot be separated, a loading and unloading mechanism 800b can adjust the width to narrow the distance between the two mobile harbors when they pass through a canal or a narrow harbor. The mobile harbors 1 including the loading and unloading apparatus 800 and the loading and unloading mechanisms 800a and 800b may include an additional structure 810 to increase stability when they come alongside the ship 2.

[76] FIG. 7 shows a front view and a side view showing that cargo is loaded at both sides of the ship using the mobile harbor in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 8 depicts a front view and a side view showing that cargo is loaded at both sides of the wharf using the mobile harbor. The mobile harbor in accordance with the present invention can directly convey containers to trailers using the small crane of the loading and unloading apparatus 800 when cargo is unloaded at the wharf.

[77] Meanwhile, when the parallel type mobile harbor is used and if the wharf has no projected part, the mobile harbor 1 cannot enter the wharf in such a way that both inner sides of the mobile harbor 1 come alongside both sides of the wharf. At this time, the mobile harbor 1 comes alongside one wall of the wharf and, in order to load or unload cargo 4, a system shown in FIG. 9 may be used. The cargo 4 is lifted on the mobile harbor 1 using a lift 240. Therefore, it is possible to align a step difference between the mobile harbor 1 and the trailer 5 using a shock absorbing coupler such as a cylinder 250 and a rubber pad 270 and load and unload the cargo using the conveyance mechanism 260.

[78] It is preferable that the conveyance mechanism 260 may be a conveyor belt or an extendable tool.

[79] The above described second embodiment may have variations as follows. The mobile harbor shown in FIG. 10 has an H-shaped structure in which the parallel type mobile harbor is extended. A control tower 100 is disposed at a center of the mobile harbor having the H-shaped structure. As shown in FIG. 10, the H-shaped mobile harbor can load and unload cargo to/from two ships. FIG. 11 is a schematic view showing a process of loading and unloading cargo to/from the pier of the H-shaped mobile harbor to the wharf 3. The mobile harbor 1 come alongside the wharf more effectively loads and unloads cargo using four loading and unloading apparatuses. The mobile harbor may employ various structures in which a plurality of substantially "C"-shaped structures or parallel structures are installed, in addition to the H-shaped structure.

[80] While this invention has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments thereof, it will be clear to those of ordinary skill in the art to which the invention pertains that various modifications may be made to the described embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims and their equivalents.