TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a pier system, and especially to an adjustable pier system. In addition the invention relates also to a pier arrangement comprising a number of the pier systems.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Numbers of different kinds of piers are known, such as floating piers or anchored piers. Main problem of the most commonly used floating piers is their inability to sustain pressure caused by ice, the wind load, or waves caused by wind. For a prolonged lifetime, these types of piers should be pulled ashore for the winter period. The need may, however be ignored as the time goes by. Having no particular protection, ordinary piers are vulnerable for high winds and waves. Only massive piers with concrete foundation will sustain the effects of wind, waves and storms. After some years, light-floating piers with wood structure will usually have a poor posture. Also the tension caused by freezing and pressure of ice will be hard on joints with nail or screw hooking and results in poor posture. There are also piers that are fixed on the ground and do not touch on water. A major problem with these piers is their change in height in relation to the surface levels of water. The water levels for instance in rivers, lakes and seas for example in Finland and Sweden vary annually up to 1.5 metres and in the larger sea areas even more. Hence access to and from the water may be difficult, depending on the current water level.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of the invention is to alleviate and eliminate the problems relating to the known prior art. Especially the object of the invention is to provide a pier system, which minimizes or eliminates any changes in height in relation to the surface levels of water or other liquid, and at the same time to achieve a pier system, which is not vulnerable to ice, wind load, or waves.

The object of the invention can be achieved by the features of independent claims. The invention relates to a pier system according to claim 1. In addition the invention relates to a pier arrangement comprising a number of pier systems according to claim 15, as well as method according to claim 16 and computer program product according to claim 17. Furthermore the invention relates to a vessel comprising the pier system according to claim 18. According to an embodiment of the invention a pier system comprises a main platform, and an auxiliary platform as a landing or boarding platform. The auxiliary platform is configured to move in relation to the main platform and thereby changing height of the auxiliary platform from a surface level of water (height-adjustable landing place) or other liquid, depending on the use and placement of the pier system. Typically the auxiliary platform is arranged so that it is not in contact with water. The movement is advantageously vertical and/or diagonal movement.

The main platform may be fixed for example at a bottom of water or other liquid, anchored onto a bedrock, concrete foundation or concrete element structure or integrated into a vessel, such as ship, offshore platform or windmill. According to an embodiment the main platform may also be as a floating structure.

According to an example the main platform comprises at the pier section a set of frame beams that are made of steel, aluminium or carbon fibre profiles or cross-trusses, for example. In order to prevent landing ice to damage the structure, the foundation is designed from the shore-side plough shape. According to an example the auxiliary platform is made of steel profiles, but also other material can be used, such as aluminium or carbon fibre. Both the main platform and auxiliary platform are advantageously covered with wooden, synthetic or fibre composite, or any lightweight cover material suitable for conditions prevailing around the premises and outdoors and for year-around conditions depending on the use, but also for safety. According to an example the pier system comprises a control system for controlling the height of the auxiliary platform from the surface level of water or other liquid by moving the auxiliary platform in relation to the main platform in a vertical and/or diagonal direction(s). The system may comprise for example a manually operated switch or joystick and/or a wired or wireless remote control system for controlling the height or movements of the auxiliary platform. According to an example the system may comprise receiver at the end of the pier system for receiving control commands from a remote control device. For example the control commands may be sent from a vessel when arriving at the pier system. According to an example telecommunication networks and techniques, such as SMS or other application messages can be sent to the remote control system. The control commands may for example comprise information about the height where the auxiliary platform should be positioned when the vessel is arrived, or vessel information, whereupon the pier system or remote control system may check the height information of the deck of the vessel from a database and thereby adjust the height of the auxiliary platform. The vessel may also comprise a vessel ID device having said information, such as information about the height, whereupon the ID device can be read in a non-contact way and remotely by the control system. As an example the ID device is an RFID device or Bluetooth device or the like, whereupon the control system may read the necessary information either directly from said ID device or by checking necessary information from databases by using the ID information and thereby adjust the height of the auxiliary platform. It is to be noted that the control system may also control the height or position of the auxiliary platform by determining or receiving data and independently and without any active outside commands or messages. The pier system thus advantageously comprises sensor devices for determining data of the pier system, such as a device for determining the surface level of water, such as e.g. capacitive, optical, laser, radar, mechanical, resistive or sonar device. The system may also comprise a device for determining ambient, water and/or air temperature, such as e.g. thermoelement couple or laser and thereby determining whether the water is going to freeze. The system may also comprise a device for determining wind speed and/or direction, and/or a clock or calendar application, such as tidewater application. The pier system is thus advantageously configured to maintain the height of the auxiliary platform in a certain range in relation to the surface level of water by measuring the distance of the surface level of water. Especially the pier system is configured to maintain the auxiliary platform clear above the water or other liquid surface level when the determined temperature is near freezing point of water or other liquid (below a certain predetermined value, such as below +3C°, or in case of other liquids there are non-wanted elements in the liquid) so to avoid structures of the system to freezing, © icing, or otherwise becoming damaged (contact with liquid). In addition the pier system is configured to move the auxiliary platform essentially to the level of the main platform, i.e. so called safety position, for example when conditions are unfavourable, for example during heavy wind or rain.

The pier system may also receive forecast information, whereupon it may move the pier system in the safety position also based on the forecast information and thus before the actual phenomenon. The safety position may also be run if there appears any malfunction, for example if no reliable measurement data can be received from the sensor(s), or if the docked vessel induces overloading to the structure of the pier system, whereupon fastening devices fastening the vessel to the pier system can be released (at least partially) and run the pier system to the safety position, for example. In addition the auxiliary platform may be moved to a certain predetermined position at a certain moment of day, week, month or year, such as during tidal water, night time or for winter and summer time or predetermined action in liquid storages. Thus the movement of the auxiliary platform may be activated by predictable but also non-predictable events.

As discussed the pier system may comprise a data communicating devices (e.g. modem or the like) for receiving control commands, such as text or SMS messages or application messages or forecast information, whereupon the system is configure to control the height or movements of the auxiliary platform based on said control commands. In addition the system may comprise a central controlling system for controlling plurality of pier systems, whereupon the central controlling system may e.g. analyse the forecast information or other data or actions in the areas of different pier systems and thereby send controlling commands for certain pier systems for controlling the height of the auxiliary platforms, such as moving them into the safety position or the like. Thus the forecast information or other data can be used for initiating the movements of the auxiliary platform for example before a storm or any other determined action.

The pier system may also send determined parameters, camera data, log data of sensors or other function, chemical composition, as well as a message in case of any malfunction to a predetermined address, such as designated service facility and/ or owner for further action. The data may also be sent to the central controlling system or ships arriving and contacting the pier system.

According to an embodiment the pier system comprises also a presence sensor, such as optical, capacitive or mechanical sensor for determining possible docking of vessels at the pier system. Thus the pier system may prevent any movements of the auxiliary platform during docked ships. However, the pier system may still maintain the height of the auxiliary platform in a certain range from the surface level of water or other liquid. The pier system may advantageously comprise fastening devices for fastening the vessel to the pier system. The fastening device is advantageously configured to be released at least partially and thereby allowing at least limited movement of the auxiliary system, for example to the safety position. According to an embodiment the pier system comprises an adjustable step and ramp system and/or a railing alongside the platform or ramp for allowing safe passage to/from the pier system, ships and e.g. between auxiliary and main platforms. The step system is advantageously adjusted mechanically with corresponding and proportional movement (ascension and descent) of the ramp due to movements of adjusting the height of the auxiliary platform in relation to the main platform. When the auxiliary platform moves, the railing outside will move accordingly. The inside railing is advantageously fixed. The mechanical parts of the auxiliary platform are advantageously covered with lamella or fabric material that will adjust itself when the platform ascends or descends. Hence this cover is also a part of the safety mechanism of the pier system. The simultaneous movement of the system may be achieved by mechanical structures or via controlled actuating devices, such as cylinders, rods, chains or the like.

As an example the movement that will adjust the height or position of the auxiliary platform will also adjust the step system mechanically with corresponding and proportional ascension and descent of the ramp. When the auxiliary platform is in the safety position, the ladder and ramp etc. are advantageously essentially at the same level as the main platform, i.e. the ladder and ramp are a uniform part of the main platform. For changing the height of the auxiliary platform the pier system comprises a driving device, such as a jacking system. The driving device comprises advantageously a scissor, screw, lever or cylinder technology driven for example by an electric motor, winch or pneumatic or hydraulic engine. According to an example the movements of the height-adjustable auxiliary platform is configured to be driven by a jacking system, such as a low- current jacking system, operation of which is based on scissor, screw, lever or cylinder technology driven by an electric motor, winch or pneumatic or hydraulic engine.

The pier system also advantageously comprises a power source for powering the sensors, data communication devices, as well as driving devices of the pier system, such as the auxiliary platform. The power source may comprise fixed mains connection, combustion engine and/or a backup battery device, but also an energy harvesting device, such as a device for harvesting electric energy from solar, wave and/or wind, for example. The present invention offers advantages over the know prior art, such as a possibility for safe landing and boarding in changing water or other liquid levels and protecting the structure against ice, wind and other stress or hazard caused by the weather or an unfavourable condition. The pier system of docking does not advantageously touch the water or other liquid and height of the auxiliary platform is automatically adjusted following the surface levels, which is a great advantage. For instance, when storm, or freezing or other hazard is anticipated the pier system will automatically move to the safety position, as needed, or if set up that way.

In addition the pier system allows the shape of the pier be of different design. For instance for large boats, like yachts the docking takes place sideways of the auxiliary platform and the main and auxiliary platforms follow the shoreline.

Moreover the pier system may comprise the clock or calendar application, wind sensor and temperature sensor, as described in this document, whereupon the system will set the auxiliary platform (landing place) into the safety-position, e.g. to a highest possible position, when the set risk parameters so instruct. This means that on approaching winter time when temperatures reach freezing levels or any time when storm or other predetermined hazard is apparent, the auxiliary platform will be moved up to the (essentially) same height as is the main (fixed) platform. In addition the sensors measuring liquid levels will instruct (together the control system) the auxiliary platform to move up or down automatically as the water surface levels would change, thus keeping the landing place (auxiliary platform) always at the given range of height in relation to the liquid level, as set up in the system control variable.

Furthermore it is to be noted that the pier system described in this document can also be attached to vessels, such as a ship, offshore platform or windmill, where the vessel structure may function as the main platform. The auxiliary platform, as well as the control system etc., are advantageously configured to function correspondingly as the auxiliary platform, control system etc., described in the embodiments above, as well as in connection with the figures.

Normally piers solve landing issues in sea, lake or river, however, the pier system now presented according to the embodiments of the invention can also be used in any situation where liquid material is stored, for instance reservoirs, such as condensation water reservoirs, and other man-made constructions, which is clear advantage.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Next the invention will be described in greater detail with reference to exemplary embodiments in accordance with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 illustrates a top view of an exemplary pier system according to an advantageous embodiment of the invention,

Figure 2 illustrates an exemplary view of the pier system in a safety position during normal water or other liquid level according to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, Figure 3 illustrates an exemplary view of the pier system in a service position during normal water level according to an advantageous embodiment of the invention,

Figure 4 illustrates an exemplary view of the pier system in a safety position during tidewater (high) level according to an advantageous embodiment of the invention,

Figure 5 illustrates an exemplary view of the pier system in a service position during tidewater (high) level according to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, Figure 6 illustrates an exemplary view of the pier system in a service position according to an advantageous embodiment of the invention,

Figure 7 illustrates an exemplary driving device of the pier system for moving the auxiliary platform according to an advantageous embodiment of the invention,

Figure 8 illustrates a principle of an exemplary the pier system according to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, and

Figure 9 illustrates a principle of an exemplary arrangement comprising a number of the pier system according to an advantageous embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Figure 1 illustrates a top view of an exemplary pier system 100 according to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, where the pier system comprises a main platform 101 , and an auxiliary platform 102 as a landing or boarding platform. The pier system comprises also driving device 103 (as described in Figure 7) for changing the height of the auxiliary platform 102 from a surface level of water 104 or other liquid and thus moving the auxiliary platform 102 in relation to the main platform 101 so that the auxiliary platform is advantageously not in contact with water or other liquid. The pier system advantageously comprises also a passage way 105 for maintaining the mechanism of the driving device and other structures, sensors and devices. The exemplary pier system 100 comprises also an adjustable step, ladder and ramp system 106 as well as a railing 107 alongside the platform or ramp. The step, ladder and ramp systems 106, 107 are advantageously driven to the same level with the main platform 102, when the pier system 100 or auxiliary platform 102 is in the safety position, as can be seen e.g. in Figures 2 and 5.

In the Figures the main platform 101 is anchored onto a bedrock 108, but it can also be fixed with a concrete foundation or concrete element structure or other counterweight 1 10, or it can be integrated into a vessel, as is described elsewhere in this document, or the main platform 100 (as thus also whole system 100) may also be as a floating structure.

Figure 2 illustrates an exemplary view of the pier system 100 in a safety position during normal water or other liquid level 104, and Figure 4 during tidewater (high) level, where the auxiliary platform 102, as well as also step, ladder and ramp systems 106, 107 are moved essentially at the same level with the main platform 101. The typical shoreline is denoted by 109. The pier system 100 comprises advantageously also structure 1 1 1 designed from the shore-side as a plough shape for preventing the landing ice to broken the structure of the pier system 100. Figure 3 illustrates an exemplary view of the pier system 100 in a service position during normal water or other liquid level according to an advantageous embodiment of the invention and Figure 5 during tidewater (high) water level according to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, where the auxiliary platform 102, as well as also step, ladder and ramp systems 106, 107 are moved in relation to the main platform 101 so that the auxiliary platform 102 reaches a certain predetermined height h from a surface level of water 104.

Figure 6 illustrates an exemplary view of the pier system 100 in a service position according to an advantageous embodiment of the invention with the main 101 and auxiliary platforms 102, where the pier system 100 also comprises the adjustable step and ramp system 106 and the railing 107 for allowing safe passage to/from the pier system 100, ships and e.g. between auxiliary 102 and main platforms 101. The structures of the pier system 100 are advantageously covered with lamella or fabric material 1 12 that will adjust itself when the auxiliary platform 102 ascends or descends. Both the main platform 101 and auxiliary platform 102 are advantageously covered with wooden, synthetic or fibre composite, or any lightweight cover material 1 13 suitable for outdoors and for year-around conditions.

Figure 7 illustrates an exemplary driving device 103 of the pier system 100 for moving the auxiliary platform 102 according to an advantageous embodiment of the invention. The main platform 101 comprises at the pier section a set of frame beams 201 that are made of steel profiles or cross- trusses, for example. The auxiliary platform 102 is made of steel profiles 202, for example. The pier system 100 comprises a driving device 103 for changing the height of the auxiliary platform 102, such as a jacking system implemented for example by a scissor, as is described in Figure 7. The scissor may be actuated by a screw, winch or cylinder technology 203 driven for example by an electric motor or pneumatic or hydraulic engine. Figure 8 illustrates a schematic principle of an exemplary the pier system 100 with controlling systems according to an advantageous embodiment of the invention. The pier system 100 advantageously comprises the control system 301 for controlling the height of the auxiliary platform 102 as described in this document. The control system 100 may comprise a manually operated device 302, like a switch or joystick and/or a wired or wireless remote control system 303 for controlling the height or movements of the auxiliary platform.

The pier system 100 comprises, according to an advantageous embodiment, a data communication device (a receiver and/or transmitter) 304 for communicating data with external devices, such as receiving control commands or instructions from a remote control device 305, such as from a vessel or a central controlling system 306.

Additionally the control system 301 may also control the height or position of the auxiliary platform or other functionality of the pier system 100 by determining or receiving environmental data either from sensors 307 hosted by the pier system 100 itself or from the central controlling system 306.

The sensors 307 may comprise advantageously devices or sensors for determining the surface level of water or other liquid, ambient, water or other liquid and/or air temperature, wind speed and/or direction, for example and as described elsewhere in this document. In addition the pier system 100 or the central controlling system 306 may comprise a clock and/or calendar application 307, such as tidewater application, for controlling (or sending

308 control commands to the control system 301 of the pier system 100) correspondingly with a certain time, such as due to coming tidewater, winter, night, day, change in chemical composition or the like. The pier system 100 may also comprise a presence sensor 31 1 for determining possible docking of vessels at the pier system, as well as fastening devices 312, advantageously controllable fastening devices 312. The pier system 100 may also comprise weather station or weather device

309 receive weather forecast information, whereupon it may move the pier system 100 in the safety position also based on the forecast information and thus before the actual weather phenomena. According to an embodiment also or only the central controlling system 306 may comprise weather station or weather device 309 for receiving weather forecast information, whereupon the central controlling system 306 may send control commands to the pier system 100 for controlling or adjusting the height of the auxiliary system or driving it to the safety position for example before coming storm.

It is to be noted that the central controlling system 306 may be in data communication with a number of pier systems 100 and thereby send control commands, such as control commands due to analysed weather forecast information, as a centralized manner. Thus each of the pier systems 100 can only receive pure control commands and there are no needs for any data processing device at each pier system 100 for analysing the weather forecast information, for example.

According to an embodiment the pier system 100 may also send determined parameters, such as temperature, surface level of water or other liquid, camera 310 data, log data of sensors 307 or other functions, whether there is any vessel docked, as well as a message in case of any malfunction to a predetermined address, such as designated service facility, to the vessels or the like or to the central controlling system 306.

The pier system also advantageously comprises a power source 313 for powering the electronic devices, such as the sensors, data communication devices and possible electric driving devices. Figure 9 illustrates a principle of an exemplary arrangement 300 comprising a number of the pier systems 100 and the central controlling system 306 for communicating with said pier systems 100, as described elsewhere in this document and thereby providing at least portion of said control commands. The invention has been explained above with reference to the aforementioned embodiments, and several advantages of the invention have been demonstrated. It is clear that the invention is not only restricted to these embodiments, but comprises all possible embodiments within the spirit and scope of the inventive thought and the following patent claims. For example the pier system may also control the height or position of the auxiliary platform by receiving and determining both the outside commands as well as by data provided by any sensors determining environmental data. In addition it is to be noted that the pier system described in this document can be attached also to a vessel, such as a ship, offshore platform or windmill, whereupon the main platform may be a structure portion of said vessel, for example.

Furthermore even if the water is described in numerous examples in this document, it is to be noted that water is only as an example and that the pier system according to the embodiments of the invention can also be used in any situation where water or any other liquid material is present, such as stored for instance reservoirs, such as condensation water reservoirs, and other man-made constructions. According to an example the main platform of the pier system may thus be a structure portion of or fixed with the structure portion of the reservoir or other construction, for example. Especially it is to be noted that the pier system according to the embodiments of the invention can be used both in outdoor and indoor conditions.