[0001] The invention relates to a positioning device for ships, in particular for ships
passing a lock.
[0002] Ships passing a lock will move upwards and downwards as the case may be, when the
lock is filled or emptied in order to obtain the same level as the waters at the relevant
outside of the lock. Unless adequate precautions are taken, the ship may move in
the longitudinal direction of the lock. This may cause damage to the lock, especially
to the doors. This applies the more for ships which fit tightly into the lock, thus
allowing very little space for any movement, once inside the lock. The width of these
ships is usually such that only a rather limited space is left at either side of the
ship. Hitherto manpower was required to keep the ship in position. The mooring ropes
of the ship have to be eased off or tightened either manually or with a mechanism
with direct or remote control. In the latter case at least two men are required, one
forward and one after the ship, to make the required adjustments. This is not only
rather laborious but also rather expensive in requiring manpower and mechanical adjustment
devices demanding a continuous consumption of energy. In addition the system is vulnerable
to the extent that cooperation between the men should be very precise, as otherwise
the ship will veer out of position. Thus damage might be caused, not only to the ship
proper, but also to the doors of the lock, if the ship would move in the longitudinal
direction of the lock.
[0003] According to the present invention a positioning device is provided, allowing the
ship to be positioned in the lock in such a way, that any substantial longitudinal
and lateral movement of the ship during locking is prevented or at least will be reduced
to a minimum. In addition the device according to the invention can be operated and
controlled by one man, preferably from the bridge of the ship.
[0004] Thus the present invention relates to a positioning device for ships, comprising
two parts, extendable from opposite sides of the ship, each part extending beyond
the hull and the width of the ship at the relevant sideand the parts together filling
substantially the free space between the hull of the ship and the walls of the lock.
Both parts may be extended by means of a hinge, or alternatively a telescopic mechanism,
allowing the parts to acquire the desired length. The parts are positioned in appropriate
free areas in the sides of the ship, wherein the mechanism for governing the devices
are positioned. As some locks are provided at one side with vertical spaced-apart
beams, it will be possible to make one ot the parts, once extended, fit into the spaces
between successive beams, thus preventing longitudinal movement of the ship. The other
part will then be extended against the opposite wall of the lock, thus preventing
any substantial lateral movement of the ship, this other part hereafter being referred
to as blocking part.
[0005] The blocking part may be an ordinary straight rod or actually any other suitable
extendable device, optinally at its far end, intended for contacting the wall of the
lock, provided with a wheel or roller in order to facilitate any displacement along
the wall and preventing damage thereto, as might be caused otherwise by the device.
[0006] The other part, intended to fit between successive beams may also be an ordinary
straight rod or actually any other suitable extendable device, preferably being provided
with wheels or rollers at its far end, facing the wall and the beams, to facilitate
movement of this part along the wall and the beams and preventing damage thereto.
Each one of the parts may be of a telescopic type.
[0007] If desired the parts together with their operating mechanism may be positioned in
opposite sides of the ship movable in the longitudinal direction, allowing proper
positioning of the "beam" part facing the space between successive beams.
[0008] The invention will now be illustrated by means of the accompanying drawing, showing
an embodiment of the present invention without limiti7ng the invention thereto.
[0009] In the accompanying drawing
Fig.1 shows a plan view of a ship in a lock with the two opposite positioned parts
which form the positioning device,
Fig.2 shows a cross-section of a ship in a lock, illustrating the functioning of
the positioning device according to the invention at various water levels,
Fig.3 shows a plan view of the part of the positioning device , that fits into a steel
beam, such as an I-beam or a U-beam, and
Fig.4 shows a plan view of the blocking part, that is the supplemental part for the
part shown in Fig.3, which two parts together provide the positioning device according
to the invention.
[0010] In Fig.1 a ship 1 is located in a lock 2, provided with doors 3. A side 4 of the
lock 2 is provided with wooden fenders 5 and a beam 8. A holding arm 6, which prevents
the ship from displacement in the longitudinal direction, is provided with a hydraulic
unit (shown in Fig. 3) and can be extended by means of said hydraulic unit once the
ship is in the lock, in order to fit into steel beam 8 between succesive wooden fenders
5. The blocking arm 7 is connected in a similar way with another hydraulic unit at
the opposite side of the ship 1, whereby it is prevented that the ship will move in
the lateral direction.
[0011] In Fig.2 the same reference numbers have been used for identical parts. In lock 2
in Fig.2 a steel beam 8, between the wooden fenders 5, is used to receive a holding
arm 6. In Fig.2 a ship 1 is shown in a lock 2 at high water level. If water is discharged
from the lock, the ship 1 will be lowered to the position at low level, presented
as ship 1′ , with the positioning device extended. As will be obvious from Fig.2,
the holding arm 6 and the blocking arm 7 are displaced downwards along the wall of
the lock in a substantially vertical manner, whereby the holding arm 6 follows the
path provided by the steel beam 8, while the blocking arm 7 simply follows the relevant
vertical wall of the lock. Thus displacement of the ship 1,1′ is prevented both in
the longitudinal direction and in the lateral direction.
[0012] Fig.3 shows a holding arm 6, which fits on a steel beam 8, which in the drawing fits
between two spaced apart wooden fenders at the lock side 4. The holding arm 6 is provided
with three (3) rollers 9, 10, of which one roller 9 is positioned at the head of the
arm 6 and the two other rollers 10 are positioned at both sides of the head of the
arm 6. The arm itself is connected with a hydraulic unit 11, capable of extending
and withdrwaing arm 6. The hydraulic unit 11 is positioned within the hull of the
ship 1 and if desired may be displaceable in 'the longitudinal direction of the ship
(not shown).
[0013] Fig. 4 shows the blocking arm 7 fitted on a similar hydraulic unit 11′, mounted at
the opposite side of the ship 1. The blocking arm 7 is provided with a roller 12 for
contact with the side 4 of the lock. As the blocking arm 7 will follow the substantially
flat surface of the side 4 of the lock, one roller 12, mounted on the head of the
blocking arm 7, will be sufficient. The hudraulic unit 11′ is mounted in a similar
way as the hydraulic unit 11.
[0014] Since a ship will usually pass a lock in both directions in due course, the holding
arm 6 and the blocking arm 7 are usually made identical and that as described for
holding arm 6.
[0015] It will be obvious that variations and modifications of the positioning device according
to the invention, as shown in the drawing, can be realized within the scope of the
present invention. Thus the blocking arm 7 may, for example, be provided with a horizontal
and/or vertical cross-bar, which is provided with two or more rollers instead of the
one roller 12. The number of rollers for holding arm 6 may be varied as well. Instead
thereof the rollers may be replaced in part or completely by wheels. The mounting
of the two arms 6 and 7 of the positioning device may also be modified. Thus the arms
6 and 7 may be provided with hinges, waarby the use of hydraulic units is avoided,
or the hydraulic units may be replaced by pneumatic units whithou deviating from the
inventive concept. The arms 6 and 7 are preferably positioned midships or at any rate
symmetrical with respect the the center at midship.
1. A positioning device for ships, in particular for ships in a lock, characterised
in that it comprises two parts (6,7) extendable at opposite sides of a ship (1) each
part (6, 7) extending beyond the hull of the ship at the relevant side, if in extended
position, with one part (6) being capable of fitting into an appropriate vertically
extending recess at a side of the lock.
2. A positioning device according to claim 1, characterised in that the extendable
parts (6, 7) are extendable by means of corresponding hinges.
3. A positioning device according to claim 1, characterised in that the extendable
parts (6, 7) are extendable by means of a corresponding hydraulic or pneumatic unit.
4. A positioning device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised
in that the extendable parts (6, 7) consist of an arm.
5. A positioning device according to claim 4, characterised in that the extendable
parts (6, 7) are provided with at least one wheel or roller (9, 10, 12).
6. A positioning device according to claim 5, characterised in that the extendable
part (6) is a holding arm (6), provided with one roller (9) at the head of the arm
(6) and two rollers (10) at opposite sides of the head of said arm.
7. A positioning device according to claim 5, characterised in that the extendable
part (7) is a blocking arm (7), provided witha roller (12) at the head of the arm
(7).
8. A positioning device according to claim 7, characterised in that the holding arm
(6) and the blocking arm (7) are identical.
9. A positioning device according to ane of the preceding claims, characterised in
that in a lock the part (6) can fit into a recess, provided by a steel beam rail,
while the other part (7) can be extended against the opposite wall of the lock.