U.S. patent application number 09/214104 was filed with the patent office on 2001-09-06 for autonomous container ship.
Invention is credited to DE SMIRNOFF, OLIVIER, FOURNIER, CHRISTIAN GILLES, LELAN, JEAN-YVES, PERSON, DANIEL.
Application Number | 20010018885 09/214104 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 9506394 |
Filed Date | 2001-09-06 |
United States Patent
Application |
20010018885 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
LELAN, JEAN-YVES ; et
al. |
September 6, 2001 |
AUTONOMOUS CONTAINER SHIP
Abstract
The invention concerns an autonomous container ship comprising a
hull, a propulsion system, loading and unloading systems for
loading and unloading containers, and a balancing system. The ship
transports containers from larger ports equipped with facilities
for loading and unloading containers to smaller ports which may not
provide such equipment and may be less than 4 meters deep. The ship
includes a propulsion system to propel the ship to cruising speed
on the high seas and at lower speeds in estuaries and ports,
loading and unloading systems adapted to ports not provided with
appropriate equipment, and a balancing system for balancing the
ship at sea by providing stability and trim during container
handling operations.
Inventors: |
LELAN, JEAN-YVES; (PLOEMEUR,
FR) ; DE SMIRNOFF, OLIVIER; (PORT LOUIS, FR) ;
PERSON, DANIEL; (COUERON, FR) ; FOURNIER, CHRISTIAN
GILLES; (ISSY-LES-MOULINEAUX, FR) |
Correspondence
Address: |
OLIFF & BERRIDGE
PO BOX 19928
ALEXANDRIA
VA
22320
|
Family ID: |
9506394 |
Appl. No.: |
09/214104 |
Filed: |
February 3, 1999 |
PCT Filed: |
April 27, 1998 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/FR98/00840 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
114/72 ; 114/124;
414/137.2 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B63B 2039/067 20130101;
B63B 43/14 20130101; B63B 43/06 20130101; B63B 25/004 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
114/72 ; 114/124;
414/137.2 |
International
Class: |
B63B 025/00; B63B
039/02; B63B 039/03 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Apr 29, 1997 |
FR |
97/05250 |
Claims
1. Autonomous container ship of the type having a keel, propulsion
means, container loading and unloading means, and balancing means,
characterized in that it has means for carrying containers from
large ports equipped with container loading and unloading means to
small ports lacking such equipment and having a water depth less
than 4 meters, said means including propulsion means (4) that allow
the ship to sail at cruising speed at sea and at estuary and port
speeds, loading and unloading means (2, 6, 7, 8, 9) adapted to
these ports lacking equipment, and means for balancing the ship at
sea serving to stabilize and trim the ship during handling.
2. Container ship according to claim 1, characterized in that
propulsion means (4) also ensure maneuverability in ports.
3. Container ship according to claim 1, characterized in that it
contains equipment providing power for both propulsion and handling
and handling means usable both on board and on land.
4. Container ship according to claim 1, characterized in that keel
(1) is of the single-hulled type.
5. Container ship according to claim 1, characterized in that keel
(5) is of the beacher type.
6. Container ship according to claim 1, characterized in that the
keel is of the catamaran type.
7. Container ship according to claim 1, characterized in that the
keel is of the mixed type: single-hulled at the bow and catamaran
at the stem.
8. Container ship according to claim 1, characterized in that the
keel is of the tunnel-hulled type.
9. Container ship according to claims 1, 2, and 3, characterized in
that it has power supply means by diesel generator.
10. Container ship according to claim 9, characterized in that
propulsion is provided by diesel, drive shaft plus propellers (4),
or by an active rudder, or by hydrojet, or by pumpjet, or by a
device known as "voith," or by a device known as "POD
azimutaux."
11. Container ship according to claim 9, characterized in that the
propulsion means are driven by a diesel engine, or by electric
motor, or by discoid engine.
12. Container ship according to any of claims 1, 2, 3, and 9,
characterized in that the loading and unloading means are comprised
of a crane (2), or by a portal crane, or by a lift truck (6), or by
a container transporter.
13. Container ship according to claim 1, characterized in that the
balancing means are comprised of a pumped ballast system or by an
inflatable float system or by a solid weight transfer system.
Description
[0001] The invention relates to an autonomous container ship for
carrying containers from large ports equipped with loading and
unloading means to small ports lacking such equipment.
[0002] In particular, the invention relates to a range of small and
medium-sized ships that can carry merchandise from one small port
to another in containers.
[0003] This range is composed of ships able to transport a maximum
number of containers equal to two, four, ten, twenty, thirty,
fifty, and a hundred.
[0004] A principal feature of the ship is its full autonomy,
enabling it to load and/or unload containers in a port not equipped
with handling means and having a water depth of less than 4
meters.
[0005] The transport of goods is indeed one of the mainsprings of
our market economy.
[0006] The globalization of international trade, the development of
"just in time" policies, and the increasing demand for
responsiveness are continuously fostering the growth of land
transport with development of costly highway infrastructures
harmful to the environment.
[0007] The range of ships according to the invention arose from
this view with the concern of developing complementarity between
highway transport and sea/river transport.
[0008] The goal is to provide sea links to serve a multitude of
irrigation ports that have been exploited little or not at all for
goods transport.
[0009] The goal is for highway container carriers to load goods
from these ports for local distribution to optimize land delivery
distances.
[0010] One of the objectives of the present invention is to provide
trucking companies with a mobile "sea/river superhighway"
infrastructure matching the land superhighway system.
[0011] A second objective is to increase the responsiveness of
sea-land transportation by shipping small quantities at frequent
intervals.
[0012] A third objective is to provide river/sea service with
substantial independence of maneuver, an optimized dock-to-dock
path, and unloading/loading systems matching these constraints.
This objective implies being able to carry a payload which is large
relative to the displacement of the ship.
[0013] A fourth objective is to provide transportation under
service and mileage conditions comparable to those of highways.
[0014] Numerous container ships with a large container-carrying
capacity and deep draft exists such as those described in Jane's
Intermodal Transportation, pages 315, 338, and 341. One example of
these large-capacity container ships is the ALIANCA BRASIL with a
capacity of 2200 containers, a speed of 20.4 knots, a length of
200.23 m, and a draft of 12.0 m. One of the smallest of these
container ships is the HERA with a capacity of 198 containers, a
speed of 12.5 knots, a length of 88 m, and a draft of 4.6 m.
[0015] These container ships generally unload in ports equipped
with heavy handling equipment. Ports able to receive existing
container ships are few in number and cannot deliver goods close to
their utilization sites.
[0016] To meet the above-defined objectives, the invention relates
to an autonomous container ship of the type having a keel,
propulsion means, container loading and unloading means, and
balancing means, characterized in that it has means for carrying
containers from large ports equipped with container loading and
unloading means to small ports lacking such equipment and having a
water depth less than 4 meters, said means including propulsion
means that allow the ship to sail at cruising speed at sea and at
estuary and port speeds, loading and unloading means adapted to
these ports lacking equipment, and means for balancing the ship at
sea serving to stabilize and trim the ship during handling.
[0017] This ship is moreover characterized by having propulsion
means that ensure maneuverability in ports.
[0018] In addition, the ship according to the invention enables a
large payload relative to its displacement to be carried. This goal
is achieved by equipment providing a common power supply for
propulsion and handling, and handling means usable both on board
and on land.
[0019] The range of ships according to the invention comprises
ships able to carry 2, 4, 10, 20, 30, 50, and 100 containers.
[0020] The containers are in two sizes:
[0021] 20-foot containers (6.058.times.2.438.times.2.591
meters);
[0022] 40-foot containers (12.116.times.2.438.times.2.591
meters).
[0023] The tonnage of the ship range according to the invention is
listed in the table below:
1 Number of 2 4 10 20 30 50 100 containers Overall 25 35 48 65 74
88 111 Length (m) Tonnage (t) 100 200 500 1000 1500 2500 5000
[0024] These ships are designed on identical architectural
principles. They can hence be built from modules.
[0025] These principles can be chosen for the keel, for the
propulsion system, for handling the containers, and for balancing
the ship.
[0026] The keel can be of the single-hulled type.
[0027] According to one embodiment, it can be of the beacher type,
i.e. the type of ship able to unload cargo onto a gently sloping
bank or onto a beach.
[0028] According to one preferred embodiment, it can be of the
catamaran type or mixed type (single-hulled at the bow and
catamaran at the stem) or of the tunnel-hulled type.
[0029] Propulsion can be provided by diesel or drive shaft plus
propellers.
[0030] It can also be provided by an active rudder.
[0031] According to one embodiment, propulsion is provided by
hydrojet.
[0032] According to another embodiment, propulsion is provided by
pumpjet Propulsion can also be provided by a device known as
"voith" manufactured by the Voith-Schneider Company.
[0033] Propulsion can also be provided by a device known as "POD
azimutaux" manufactured by the Schottel Company.
[0034] The propulsion means can be driven by a diesel engine, by an
electric motor, or by a discoid engine.
[0035] The containers can be handled by a crane, a portal crane, a
lift truck, or a container transporter.
[0036] The ship balancing means may be comprised of pumped
ballasting system ensuring displacement of water in the ship from
ballast to ballast to adjust trim or roll.
[0037] The balancing means can be comprised of an inflatable float
system; these inflatable floats can be built into the side of the
ship to increase float inertia and thus limit rolling and pitching
during handling operations.
[0038] The balancing means can also be comprised of a solid-weight
transfer system. A solid weight moves in the ship to offset
shifting container weights during handling operations.
[0039] A combination of these various characteristics leads to a
design principle for the range of ships.
[0040] In addition, it must be possible to build the ship at a cost
offering investors an alternative to highway transportation.
[0041] With this in mind, the technological solutions leading to
economically viable solutions must have the following
characteristics.
[0042] The ship must enable a large payload relative to its
displacement to be carried.
[0043] The equipment must be as versatile as possible, implying a
common power supply for propulsion and handling, handling means
that can be used both on board and on land, propulsion means
allowing the ship to sail at cruising speed and at estuary and port
speeds, and maneuverability in ports, with the means that balance
the ship at sea also serving to balance it during handling
operations.
[0044] The range of ships according to the invention has autonomy
in the following areas:
[0045] navigation: slow and rapid propulsion and means of
navigation at sea,
[0046] crew quarters: facilities enabling a crew of 3 to 5
individuals to live for several days on board,
[0047] handling: handling means enabling the ship to load and
unload containers in unequipped ports,
[0048] balancing: a balancing system ensures transverse stability
and trim of the ship when sailing and during container handling
operations.
[0049] The attached drawings show preferred embodiments of the
invention.
[0050] FIG. 1 is a lengthwise section through a ship according to
the invention of the single-hulled type equipped with a crane.
[0051] FIG. 2 is a top view of a ship according to the invention of
the beacher type with an unloading ramp at the bow.
[0052] FIG. 3 is a lengthwise section through a ship according to
the invention of the beacher type equipped with a ramp at the
stem.
[0053] FIG. 4 is a side view of a ship according to the invention
of the beacher type equipped with a ramp at the stem.
[0054] FIG. 1 illustrates a ship according to the invention
having:
[0055] a keel 1 of the single-hulled type,
[0056] a crane 2,
[0057] containers 3,
[0058] a propulsion system with propellers 4.
[0059] The ship shown has a keel of the single-hulled type defined
above enabling it to sail at between 15 and 20 knots.
[0060] The power necessary for operation is provided by a diesel
generator.
[0061] The propulsion means are comprised of an electric motor,
drive shaft, and propellers 4.
[0062] The container loading and unloading operations are carried
out with a crane 2 mounted at the stem of the ship.
[0063] The ship is balanced by ballasting. The roll of the ship is
constantly controlled during handling operations by a pump
system.
[0064] The ship shown has the following characteristics:
2 overall length: 65 m width: 11 m displacement at full load: 1100
t draft: 4 m number of containers: 20 maximum speed: 17-21
knots
[0065] FIG. 2 is a top view of the ship in FIG. 1 showing crane 2
mounted at the stem.
[0066] FIG. 3 illustrates a ship according to the invention
comprising:
[0067] a keel flat at bilge 5 for beaching,
[0068] a lift truck 6,
[0069] an unloading ramp 7 at the bow,
[0070] containers 3,
[0071] a propulsion system 4.
[0072] The ship shown has a keel flat at bilge 5 allowing a
cruising speed of 10 to 12 knots and beaching, i.e. mooring at a
gently-sloping bank or at a beach.
[0073] The ship can be beached at the bow with stem propulsion.
[0074] According to one variant, the ship can be beached at the
stem with bow propulsion.
[0075] The necessary power is supplied by a diesel generator.
[0076] The propulsion means are diesel, drive shaft, and propellers
4.
[0077] The handling operations are carried out with the aid of a
lift truck 6 and unloading, by a ramp 7 onto a beach or boat
ramp.
[0078] The ship is balanced by ballasting.
[0079] The ship shown has the following characteristics:
3 overall length: 50 m width: 10 m displacement at full load: 900 t
draft: 2.1 m number of containers: 20 maximum speed: 10-12
knots
[0080] A preferred variant consists of loading and unloading the
containers by a stem ramp, in which case the propulsion means are
at the bow and the keel is more streamlined, thus improving
navigation.
[0081] The trim of the ship is balanced by ballasts filled with
water by pumps.
[0082] FIG. 4 shows a ship according to the invention
comprising:
[0083] a keel flat at bilge 5 for beaching,
[0084] a self-propelled portal crane 8,
[0085] a stem loading ramp 9,
[0086] containers 3,
[0087] pumpjet propulsion means not shown.
[0088] The ship shown has a flat keel 5 for beaching and a cruising
speed between
[0089] Beaching can take place at the bow with stem propulsion or
at the stem with bow propulsion.
[0090] The necessary power is supplied by a diesel generator or
diesel-electric generator.
[0091] Propulsion is provided by pumpjets.
[0092] Handling is provided by a self-propelled portal crane 8 and
unloading, by a ramp 9 at the stem.
[0093] The ship is balanced by a pump and ballast system.
[0094] The ship shown has the following characteristics:
4 overall length: 65 m width: 11 m displacement at full load: 1000
t draft: 2.9 m number of containers: 20 maximum speed: 18-20
knots
* * * * *