CRANE SYSTEM

The present invention relates to a marine vessel having a cargo hold for transportation of cargo objects, e.g. ISO containers and/or other cargo objects.

The vessel has a hull, e.g. a monohull vessel. The hull has a bow, a stern, a bottom, and lateral sides extending from bow to stern. The lateral sides extend above a waterline of the hull.

The vessel has a cargo hold, e.g. the vessel being a cargo vessel primarily configured for transportation of cargo objects. For example, the cargo hold has a floor and a ceiling. For example, a lateral side of the hull forms a lateral wall of the cargo hold.

The vessel allows for lateral transfer of cargo objects into and out of the cargo hold via a cargo transfer opening provided in the lateral side of the hull. The cargo transfer opening has a lower edge, an upper edge, and side edges.

The vessel is provided with a cargo hold door for closing and opening the cargo transfer opening. In practical embodiments, a vessel may have multiple cargo transfer openings and associated cargo hold doors for lateral transfer of cargo objects, e.g. from one and the same cargo hold and/or from multiple cargo holds.

In the art various approaches exist to transfer cargo objects into and out of the cargo hold via the cargo transfer opening in the lateral side of the hull, e.g. when the vessel is moored alongside a quay for loading/unloading. For example, it is known to provide a ramp that meets up with the opened cargo transfer opening, so that the cargo objects can be placed on a vehicle, e.g. a forklift, that rides over the ramp. In another approach, a crane system is used for transfer of the cargo objects via the cargo transfer opening. For example, after opening of the cargo hold door, a crane system onboard the vessel is used for the transfer of the cargo objects.

The present invention aims to provide enhanced handling of cargo objects via a lateral cargo transfer opening in a lateral side of the hull, e.g. for use in loading/unloading of a marine vessel when moored at a quay. For example, the present invention aims to provide for one or more of: ease of operation of the cargo handling crane system, limited complexity, low maintenance costs, enhanced operational reliability, etc.

The invention provides for a marine vessel according to claim 1 . Due to the inventive construction, the opening of the hinged cargo hold door generally brings the lateral cargo transfer overhead crane in its operational condition. The main support rails thereof are secured to the inner side of the hinged cargo hold door and are brought in their operational substantially horizontal position by opening of the hinged cargo hold door. Herein the inboard sections of these main support rails extend into the hull over the inboard load handling zone. The outboard sections of these main support rails are outside the hull over the outboard load handling zone, e.g. formed by an area on the quay along which the vessel is moored or by another vessel moored alongside the vessel, e.g. an inland waterways vessel.

The crane bridge of the lateral cargo transfer overhead crane is held on these main support rails, both in the closed and opened state of the cargo hold door, and travels on these rails.

Preferably, in the closed state of the hinged cargo hold door the crane bridge is parked, e.g. temporarily fixated at or near the outer end of the main support rails which is then effectively the lower end of these rails.

In practical embodiments, a crane bridge drive is provided for controlled travel of the crane bridge over these main support rails. For example, the crane bridge drive allows not only for controlled travel when the cargo hold door is open but also when the door is closed. The latter may, for example, allow for the crane bridge to be parked at the outer, then lower, ends of the main support rails when the cargo hold door is closed and then, prior to opening the door, the crane bridge being moved upwards. This may allow for reducing the forces needed for opening of the cargo hold door, e.g. the crane bridge being moved to a position at the inner end of the main support rails, then the upper end, ahead of opening the cargo hold door. The latter may, for example, cause the weight of the crane bridge to act as a counter ballast to the weight of the pivoting cargo hold door, e.g. facilitating the opening thereof, e.g. reducing the capacity of the pivoting force drive arrangement for the cargo hold door.

In an embodiment, the cargo hold has a lateral cargo hold wall that is formed by and/or combined with the lateral side of the hull so that the cargo hold is directly adjacent the lateral side of the hull. In another embodiment, for example, a corridor extends from a more inwardly located cargo hold to the cargo transfer opening in the lateral side of the hull.

In an embodiment, the hoisting device of the lateral cargo transfer overhead crane is configured to reach the waterline of the vessel when the vessel is unloaded so that it can pick up and deposit the cargo object at any height of the outboard load handling zone between the waterline and the crane bridge. In an embodiment, the vessel further comprises an auxiliary crane mounted to the vessel in the cargo hold.

In an embodiment, the auxiliary crane is configured for transfer of a cargo object between the inboard load handling zone and one or more other locations in the cargo hold whilst the hinged cargo hold door provided with the lateral cargo transfer overhead crane is open.

In an embodiment, the auxiliary crane mounted to the vessel in the cargo hold is an auxiliary overhead crane.

In an embodiment, the auxiliary overhead crane has two main support rails that are secured to the hull, e.g. to a ceiling of the cargo hold and/or to one or two lateral walls of the cargo hold, which main support rails extend parallel to one another and parallel to the lateral side wall of the cargo hold, wherein the auxiliary overhead crane has a crane bridge configured to travel over these main support rails, the crane bridge being provided with a cargo hoisting device, said cargo hoisting device being configured to lift and lower a cargo object, e.g. the cargo hoisting device comprising a winch and a winch driven cable, e.g. the cargo hoisting device including a trolley that travels over the crane bridge, wherein the auxiliary overhead crane is configured for transfer of a cargo object between the inboard load handling zone of the floor of the cargo hold and one or more other locations in the cargo hold whilst the hinged cargo hold door provided with the lateral cargo transfer overhead crane is open.

In an embodiment, the auxiliary overhead crane has two crane bridges travelling over the main support rail, e.g. independent from one another, each crane bridge being provided with a cargo hoisting device. This approach allows, for example, to lift a cargo object, e.g. ISO container, using both crane bridges and respective cargo hoisting devices, e.g. each lifting one end of an ISO container.

In an embodiment, the vessel is configured for the lateral transfer of cargo objects embodied as ISO containers into and out of a cargo hold via the lateral cargo transfer opening provided in the lateral side of the hull, wherein the length of the ISO container is parallel to the lateral side of the vessel during the transfer. For example, 40 ft. and/or 20 ft. ISO containers can be handled, obviously also allowing for even smaller ISO containers or cargo objects of similar size and weight.

In an embodiment the crane bridge of the lateral cargo transfer overhead crane and/or of the auxiliary overhead crane supports a single trolley which is provided with an associated cargo hoisting device, e.g. each trolley comprising a winch and a winch driven cable. For handling different length ISO containers, this may require the provision of two differently sized container lifting spreaders per crane in order to connect the hoisting device to the ISO container.

In an embodiment, the crane bridge of the lateral cargo transfer overhead crane and/or of the auxiliary overhead crane supports two trolleys, each provided with an associated cargo hoisting device, e.g. each trolley comprising a winch and a winch driven cable, the trolleys being independently movable over the respective bridge at least to adjust the spacing between the trolleys, e.g. corresponding to handling 40 ft. and 20 ft. ISO containers. This approach may allow to avoid the use of differently sized spreaders for container handling. Instead each end of an ISO container could be lifted by a lifting beam having connectors or hooks that attach to two corner fittings of the ISO container, the lifting beam being hoisted by the corresponding hoisting device. Such an arrangement with two travelling trolleys, each equipped with a hoisting device, e.g. a winch and a winch driven cable, may provide enhanced versatility of the vessel for handling different cargo objects as well as different length ISO containers. Possibly, a trolley has two winches, each hoisting an end of the lifting beam. For example, the lifting capacity for each lifting beam would be 15 tons. It is noted that in an embodiment of the auxiliary overhead crane with two crane bridges, the same approach can be used for handling a cargo object, such as for example an ISO container.

The present invention also relates to a method for handling cargo with a cargo vessel as described herein.

In an embodiment, a cargo object, e.g. an ISO container, is arranged at an outboard load handling zone, e.g. said zone being on a quay along which the vessel is moored, e.g. the cargo object being located on a vehicle parked on the quay. Herein the method comprises:

- opening the hinged cargo hold door,

- positioning lateral cargo transfer overhead crane with the cargo hoisting device thereof over the outboard load handling zone, e.g. involving moving the crane bridge of the lateral cargo transfer overhead crane towards the outer end of the main support rails,

- connecting the cargo object to the cargo hoisting device and lifting the cargo object to the level of the opened cargo transfer opening,

- moving the crane bridge of the lateral cargo transfer overhead crane towards the inner end of the main support rails and thereby passing the cargo object into the hull, e.g. into the cargo hold, via the lateral cargo transfer opening,

- operating the cargo hoisting device to lower the cargo object onto the inboard load handling zone and disconnecting the cargo object, - optionally, moving the crane bridge of the lateral cargo transfer overhead crane towards the outer end,

- positioning the cargo hoisting device of the auxiliary overhead crane over the inboard load handling zone,

- connecting the cargo object to the cargo hoisting device of the auxiliary overhead crane and lifting the cargo object,

- operating the auxiliary overhead crane to move the cargo object to a selected location in the hull, e.g. in the cargo hold.

It will be appreciated that the above routine in reverse order can be used to move a cargo object from a location in the hull, e.g. in the cargo hold to an outboard load handling zone. In this method the cargo object passes through the lateral cargo transfer opening.

When the vessel sails, the hinged cargo hold door is closed. The cargo hold door may be provided in the hull at a location where waves reach the hull, which location requires a sturdy and watertight design of the hinged cargo hold door.

The invention will now be described with reference to the drawings. In the drawings:

- fig. 1 schematically shows the vessel with the lateral cargo transfer opening and the associated hinged cargo hold door in opened position,

- fig. 2 shows the shows the vessel with the lateral cargo transfer opening and the associated hinged cargo hold door in closed position,

- figs. 3 - 9 illustrate the transfer of a cargo object, e.g. an ISO container, from a location within the cargo hold to the outboard load handling zone.

In figures 1 and 2 a part of a marine vessel 1 is schematically depicted.

The vessel has a hull, here a monohull. The hull has, as is common, a bow, a stern, a bottom, and lateral sides extending from bow to stern. Only lateral side 2 is shown in figures 1 , 2. The lateral hull sides extend above a waterline of the hull.

The vessel has a cargo hold 5.

The vessel 1 is moored with its lateral hull side 2 alongside a quay 10, with a fender 11 in between.

The vessel allows for lateral transfer of cargo objects 100, 110 into and out of the cargo hold 5 via a cargo transfer opening 20 that is present in lateral side 2 of the hull. Generally the cargo transfer opening has a lower edge 21 , an upper edge 22, and side edges 23, 24. In the depicted example, the opening 20 is configured to pass through one 40ft. ISO container 100, 110, with its length (40 ft.) parallel to the lateral side 2. Of course the same opening allows for handling of smaller ISO containers, e.g. 20 ft. containers or other cargo objects.

The vessel has an inboard load handling zone 30 in proximity of the cargo transfer opening 20. This zone may be formed, as here, by an area of the floor of the cargo hold 5. The zone 30 may, as shown, be arranged significantly lower than the lower edge 21 of the opening 20, e.g. one or more meters lower. In another embodiment, the zone 30 is at the same height as the lower edge 21.

The vessel is provided with a hinged cargo hold door 40 for closing and opening the cargo transfer opening 20, which cargo hold door 40 is pivotal about a horizontal pivot axis 41 that extends along the upper edge 22 of the cargo transfer opening 20. It is noted that the axis 41 may coincide with the edge 22, but other locations in proximity to this edge are also practical.

The cargo hold door 40 has an inner side facing inwards when the cargo hold door is closed and an opposed outer side.

The vessel comprises a lateral cargo transfer overhead crane 50 that is mounted to the hinged cargo hold door 40.

The lateral cargo transfer overhead crane 50 has two main support rails 51 , 52 that are secured to the inner side of the hinged cargo hold door 40. These main support rails 51 , 52 are spaced apart and parallel to one another. The main support rails 51 , 52 extend perpendicular to the horizontal pivot axis 41 of the hinged cargo hold door 40.

Each of the main support rails 51 , 52 has an outboard section 51a, 52a that extends along the inner side of the hinged cargo hold door 40 and an inboard section 51b, 52b that is continuous with the outboard section 51a, 52a and that extends beyond the upper rim of hinged cargo hold door 40 such that, in closed state of the cargo hold door (see figure 2), the main support rails 51 , 52 are substantially vertical with the inboard sections 51 b, 52b extending along a portion of the lateral side 2 of the hull above the cargo transfer opening 20, and such that, in the opened state of the cargo hold door (see figure 1), the main support rails 51 , 52 are substantially horizontal and the inboard sections 51 b, 52b extend into the hull over the inboard load handling zone 30.

The lateral cargo transfer overhead crane 50 further comprises a crane bridge 60 that is held on and travels over the main support rails 51 , 52, e.g. the crane bridge having rollers engaging the main support rails at ends of the crane bridge. As known in the art, the illustrated crane bridge 60 has a frame with two parallel main girders perpendicular to the rails 51 , 52. The crane bridge 60 is provided with a cargo hoisting device 65 that is configured to lifting and lower a cargo object. As known in the art, the illustrated cargo hoisting device comprises a trolley 66 that travels over the crane bridge, so in direction from one rails 51 ,52 to the other rails and vice versa. The trolley 66 is provided with a winch 67 and a winch driven cable 68, e.g. supporting a spreader 69

The figure 1 shows that, when the hinged cargo hold door 40 is in its opened state, the lateral cargo transfer overhead crane 50 allows to transfer a cargo object 100, 110 between the inboard load handling zone 30 and an outboard load handling zone 70 that is outside the hull of the vessel 1. The zone 70 here is an area of the quay. For example, a vehicle onto which the cargo object 100, 110 is to be loaded is parked on the quay below the opened door 40.

The figure 2 shows that, when the door 40 is closed, the crane 50 is still secured to the door 40 and thereby in a non-operative, more or less vertical orientation.

The figures 1 , 2 show that, in an embodiment, the cargo hold 5 has a lateral cargo hold wall 5a that is formed by and/or combined with the lateral side 2 of the hull so that the cargo hold 5 is directly adjacent the lateral side of the hull. The cargo transfer opening 20 immediately adjoins the cargo hold 5.

As can best be seen in figures 3 - 9, it is envisaged that the vessel further comprises an auxiliary crane 150 that is mounted to the vessel in the cargo hold 5.

The auxiliary crane 150 is configured for transfer of a cargo object 100, 110 between the inboard load handling zone 30 and one or more other locations in the cargo hold 5, even whilst the hinged cargo hold door 40 provided with the lateral cargo transfer overhead crane 50 is open. So the crane 150 is designed to be operational without the need for closing the door 40, so with the inboard sections 51 b still in the situation of figure 1 .

It is shown that the auxiliary crane 150 mounted to the vessel in the cargo hold 5 is an auxiliary overhead crane.

The auxiliary overhead crane 150 has two main support rails 151 , 152 that are secured to the hull, e.g. to a ceiling of the cargo hold and/or to one or two lateral walls of the cargo hold. These main support rails 151 , 152 extend parallel to one another and parallel to the lateral side wall 5a of the cargo hold, so in this example parallel to the lateral side 2.

The auxiliary overhead crane 150 has a crane bridge 160 configured to travel over the main support rails 151 , 152. The crane bridge 160 is provided with a cargo hoisting device 165, said cargo hoisting device being configured to lifting and lower a cargo object 100, 110. As explained, in an embodiment, there are two crane bridges 160 travelling over rails 151 , 152, e.g. along the ceiling of the cargo hold 5.

The cargo hoisting device 165 is configured for lifting and lower a cargo object, e.g. the cargo hoisting device comprising a winch 167 and a winch driven cable 168, e.g. the cargo hoisting device including a trolley 166 that travels over the crane bridge.

Generally, the auxiliary overhead crane 150 is configured for transfer of a cargo object between the inboard load handling zone 30 and one or more other locations in the cargo hold 5. This can be done whilst the hinged cargo hold door 40 provided with the lateral cargo transfer overhead crane 50 is open.

With reference to figures 3 - 9 a method for handling cargo with the cargo vessel of figures 1 , 2 will be discussed. In the figures the cargo object 100 is initially arranged (see figure 3) at a location in the hull, here in the cargo hold 5, remote from the inboard load handling zone 30 and from the opening 20. It is assumed that the vessel is moored at a quay or that, for example, a further vessel is moored alongside the lateral side 2 of the hull, e.g. a barge. For example, it is assumed that the cargo object is to be transferred onto a vehicle that is parked on the quay, so that the vehicle then forms part of the outboard load handling zone.

Figure 3 shows the cargo hold door 40 having been brought in opened state, e.g. with the crane 50 still in its position on the rails 51 , 52 close to the outer ends thereof. Opening of the cargo hold door 40 may, e.g., be done with a hydraulic system.

Figure 4 shows that the auxiliary overhead crane 150 is moved over the cargo object 100 and that the cargo object is connected to the cargo hoisting device of the auxiliary overhead crane 150. Then the cargo object 100 is lifted.

Figure 5 shows that the crane 150 moves the cargo object 100 towards the zone 30.

In figure 6 the cargo object 100 is lowered onto the zone 30, allowing for the disconnection of the cargo object 110 from the crane 150.

The figure 7 shows that the crane 50 is moved into position over the temporarily parked cargo object 100 in zone 30 and that the object 100 is then connected to the hoisting device 65 of the crane 50. It will be appreciated that the crane bridge 60 has been moved in this stage over the zone 30, so from an outboard position to an inboard position. This avoids any interference with the object 100 and the crane 150 when parking the object in the zone 30.

The figure 8 shows that the cargo object 100 is lifted by operation of the crane 50 to a height that allows for passage through the opening 20. As discussed, this may involve a significant lift but when the zone 30 is formed by a floor at the level of the lower edge of the opening 20 this lift may be very small.

The figure 9 shows that the cargo object 100 is moved through the opening 20 by travel of the crane bridge 60 towards the outer ends of the rails 51 , 52. Now the cargo object can be lowered onto the vehicle or the like.

It will be appreciated that the vessel can also load cargo objects by a method which method comprises:

- opening the hinged cargo hold door 40,

- positioning lateral cargo transfer overhead crane 50 with the cargo hoisting device thereof over the outboard load handling zone, e.g. involving moving the crane bridge 60 of the lateral cargo transfer overhead crane towards the outer end of the main support rails,

- connecting the cargo object 100 to the cargo hoisting device and lifting the cargo object to the level of the opened cargo transfer opening 20,

- moving the crane bridge 60 of the lateral cargo transfer overhead crane 50 towards the inner end of the main support rails 51 , 52 and thereby passing the cargo object into the hull, e.g. into the cargo hold, via the cargo transfer opening,

- operating the cargo hoisting device to lower the cargo object onto the inboard load handling zone 30 and disconnecting the cargo object,

- optionally, moving the crane bridge 60 of the lateral cargo transfer overhead crane towards the outer end,

- positioning the cargo hoisting device of the auxiliary overhead crane 150 over the inboard load handling zone 30,

- connecting the cargo object 100 to the cargo hoisting device of the auxiliary overhead crane 150 and lifting the cargo object,

- operating the auxiliary overhead crane 150 to move the cargo object to a selected location in the hull, e.g. in the cargo hold 5.