FI66801C - RAMP CONSTRUCTION FOER RO-RO-FARTYG - Google Patents

Description

1 66801

Ro-ro ship dock bridge structure

So-called ro-ro vessels are usually equipped with some kind of berth bridge that allows navigation from the berth directly to the ship or vice versa. In this case, only the deck carrying the load can be easily reached. If cargo or vehicles are to be placed on decks below or above, use must be made of lifts or bulkheads occupying the ship.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a berth bridge structure for a ro-ro vessel having two cargo receiving decks, both of which are accessed directly from a berth bridge comprising at least two hinged portions and pivotally connected to the lower deck.

The pier bridge structure according to the invention is characterized in that the inner part of the bridge has a length substantially corresponding to the height between the two decks, and the inner part is arranged in an upturned position to support the end edge of the upper deck, the rest of the pier being connected to the upper deck.

The pier bridge suitably consists of three hinged parts, the outer part of which is possibly provided with a terminal flap, the two inner parts having a combined length corresponding at least to the length of the outer part plus any end flap.

The part of the part of the upper deck facing the pier bridge is suitably formed at the transverse joint as a pivoting platform which can be turned down to rest on the raised, inner part of the pier bridge.

2 66801

The invention will be explained in the following with reference to the accompanying drawings, which show the bow of a vessel provided with a side bridge according to the invention.

Figure 1 shows a first embodiment of a pier bridge arrangement fitted in connection with an upper deck. Fig. 2 shows a modified structure which is likewise adapted to communicate with the upper deck, and Fig. 3 shows in solid lines the structure of the pier according to Fig. 2 in the running position and lowered downwards for communication with the lower deck.

Figure 1 shows a bow part of a ship adapted according to the Ro-ro technique to receive goods carried on wheels on the upper deck 10 and the lower deck 11. The lower compartment 12 is accessed via elevators (not shown).

For ro-ro traffic, there is a pier bridge 13 consisting of three parts 14, 15 and 16 connected to each other by hinges 17 and 18, respectively. The outer bridge part 16 is provided with an end flap 19 articulated to the end of the pier bridge and distributes cargo over the platform surface , while always settling on this level.

The pier bridge 13 is connected to the lower deck 11 by a pivot hinge 20. The total length of the parts 14 and 15 is slightly larger than the length of the part 16 plus the end flap 19. The hinge 17 allows a pivoting movement of about 90 °, while the hinge 18 allows a pivoting movement of substantially 180 °, so that the pier can be pivoted to a substantially vertical position during the journey (Fig. 3). Since the end flap 19 can be pivoted with respect to the associated bridge part 18, this can often be made practically as long as the two inner bridge parts 14, 15 combined.

The inner part 14 of the pier bridge 13 has a length which substantially corresponds to the height between the decks 10 and 11. In the position shown in Fig. 1 3 66801, the pier bridge 13 is arranged in contact with the upper deck 11, and the part 14 is pivoted to an approximately vertical position so that it fits under the bow end 10 of the deck 10 and supports this as heavy vehicles travel from the pier bridge to the deck or vice versa.

The pier bridge part 14 can be shaped and equipped so that it, in cooperation with the frame surrounding the opening leading to the deck, can be made to close the intermediate deck space watertight at the entrance of the pier bridge.

The end edge 21 of the cover can be bent slightly so that it better follows the bridge part 15, but thanks to the support function obtained by the part 14, the crossbeams and other reinforcements of the cover 10 can be reduced.

Figure 2 shows a modification of the arrangement of Figure 1. The inner part 14 of the pier bridge is here slightly shorter than in Fig. 1, and the bow part of the upper deck is made into a platform 21 which can be pivoted around the cross hinge 22.

The control of the different parts of the pier bridges can take place in any known way. The figures show that the platform bridge is supported by a hoist 23, but as the pivot hinge 20 of the bridge as well as the pivot hinge 17 between its first and second parts and also the pivot hinge 22 of the platform 21 can be suitably shaped as hydraulic actuators.

The dashed lines indicate the bow visor 24, which is used in a known manner.

Fig. 3 shows in solid lines the pier bridge according to Fig. 2 in the raised position for travel and in broken lines down for communication with the lower deck 10. It can be seen from Figures 2 and 3 that the connection to the selected deck can also be adjusted when the height ratios between the ship and the berth vary.

The invention has been described here in connection with a berth bridge arranged at the bow of a ship, but it is clear that a corresponding berth bridge structure can also be used at the stern of the ship and possibly also on the side.

Claims (4)

66801 A berth bridge structure for a Ro-ro vessel with at least two cargo receiving decks, comprising at least two hinged parts (14, 15, 16) and pivotally connected to the lower deck (11), characterized in that the berth bridge ( 13) the inner part (14) has a length substantially corresponding to the height between the two decks (10, 11), and the inner part is arranged in an upturned position to support the end edge of the upper deck (10), the rest of the pier bridge (15, 16) joining the upper deck. Pier bridge structure according to claim 1, characterized in that the pier bridge (13) consists of three hinged parts (14, 15, 16), the outer one (16) of which is optionally provided with an end end (19), whereby two inner parts (14, 15) is a total length corresponding at least to the length of the outer part (16) plus any end flap (19). Pier bridge structure according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the part (21) of the upper deck (10) facing the pier bridge (13) is formed at the transverse joint (22) as a pivoting platform which can be turned down to rest on the raised, inner on the basis of part (14). Pier bridge structure according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the inner part (14) of the pier bridge is shaped and provided in such a way that it can act as a watertight gate for closing the intermediate deck space at the entrance of the pier bridge.