KR20110095834A - Chain arresting device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: A chain restraining device is provided to capture and restrain an anchor chain sliding out from a winch, thereby preventing the transmission of a dynamic load to the winch and the sinking of the anchor chain as being not controlled. CONSTITUTION: A chain restraining device comprises a guide unit and a chain restraining element(2). The chain restraining element operates between first, second and third positions. In the second position, the chain restraining element contacts chain links(5) in a non-restraining state. In the third position, the chain restraining element contacts the chain links in a restraining state. The chain restraining element includes first contact units which contact a first chain link and second contact units which contact corresponding contact units that are stopped in the chain restraining element.

Description

Chain arresting device

The present invention relates to a device for controlling the movement of a chain. More specifically, the present invention relates to a device of the introduction of claim 1 for capturing and constraining the motion of an anchor chain.

Compared to the past, ships tend to anchor ships farther to the sea (off the harbor and sheltered waters). This tendency can be caused by the economic and / or operational advantages of the owner or captain in addition to the fact that the congestion of ports around the world is increasing.

If the vessel is anchored away from the port in a body of water where the wave is exposed to significant wave forces, the anchor system of the vessel may be exposed to dynamic loads not considered in the design. A typical anchor winch system is designed to lift anchors and anchor chains from a depth of about 80 to 100 meters (7 to 10% of chain breakdown load) at a speed of 9 meters per minute. Special problems arising in open waters can result in severe swells when lifting the anchors, resulting in loads that are larger than the loads designed for anchor position and auxiliary equipment. The load can be increased by resistance by seabed soil attached to the anchor fluke of the anchor. As a result, the anchor winch is exposed to loads that exceed the winch's capabilities, the hydraulic motor powering the winch breaks down, and the anchor chain begins to fall into the sea uncontrolled. The hydraulic system is also damaged in an irreparable condition. This condition jeopardizes the safety of ships and crew. Chain stoppers are used to restrain the anchor when the anchor is lowered and thus relax the anchor windlass on the vessel when the vessel is anchored. Commonly used chain stoppers include an open slideway that supports the horizontal link of the chain in parallel with the slideway and provides a guide groove for the vertical link of the chain.

The prior art disclosed in document GB 1 592 884, when anchoring or anchoring a vessel, such as a chain stopper for releasing an anchor winch when the vessel is anchored or anchored in a mooring buoy. The present invention relates to chain stoppers for restraining the anchor chain used. The chain stopper includes restraints that engage or exit the locking chain with the horizontal chain link.

The prior art disclosed in document EP 0 379 848 B1 relates to a chain stopper for tightening the anchor chain so as to maintain close contact with the anchor chain when the anchor is in the inserted position. The chain stopper includes a slideway having guide grooves through which the anchor chain is guided when the anchor descends and rises. The support is strongly attached to the frame of the chain stopper and extends upwardly from the frame so that the support pivots and supports the chain tightening means, which can be extended and retracted. The support, on the operating position and the guide groove in which the chain tightening means in contact with the chain link of the anchor chain in the actuation state in the guide groove to move in the direction of lifting the anchor chain along the guide groove. It can pivot between the formed non-operating positions.

In other known chain stoppers, restraints are formed, for example, through rigid bars descending in the transverse direction of the anchor chain to restrain the chain links perpendicular to the contacts. Therefore, according to the prior art disclosed in the document JP 10059272, the control device of the anchor chain includes a frame having a guide member consisting of a guide roller and a guide groove for guiding the movement of the anchor chain. A shaft is installed on both sides of the frame in the same direction as the movement direction of the anchor chain. A stopper slides on the axis and rotates in a direction crossing the direction of movement of the anchor chain.

Applicant proposes the present invention to solve the above problem and seek further advantages.

The present invention is disclosed in the main claims and features of the invention are set forth, and the dependent claims describe other features of the invention. The present invention therefore comprises a chain restraint device for an anchor chain operated by winches and comprising a guide means for chain links, in a first position away from the chain links, in a non-arresting state. A chain restraining element operable between a second position in contact with the chain links and a third position in contact with the chain links in a restrained state, the chain restraining element being adapted to make contact with the first chain link. And at least one first contact means and at least one second contact means for contacting said contact means stationary within the chain restraint device.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the guide groove for slidingly connected with the first chain link and the first guide surface for slidingly connected with the second chain link, the third contact means is at least one groove portion of the guide surface In the contact surface of the inclined structure.

The chain restraint element preferably comprises a support surface for sliding contact with the first chainlink as the chain passes through the chain restraint. According to one embodiment of the invention, the support surface further comprises a wear element.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the chain restraint element further comprises a counterweight capable of pivoting around a support point between the first, second and third positions and pivoting around the support point by a lever. Including, the load of the chain binding element can be selectively increased or decreased.

 The chain restraint device advantageously further comprises an outlet opening in fluid communication with the lower region of the third contact means.

The chain restraint according to the present invention is capable of capturing and constraining the anchor chain (automatically for a very short time), which slides out of the winch (for example during lifting of the anchor) and automatically holds a considerable dynamic load. It is prevented from being transferred to winches (eg anchor winch motors and auxiliary equipment) and the anchor chain is prevented from falling into the water uncontrolled.

The chain restraint device according to the invention is also known in the state of the art in the static state, i.e. when the anchor is in the inserted position relative to the hull of the ship or when the anchor is installed on the seabed or when the ship is anchored to a buoy or the like. It can be used as a chain stopper.

The chain restraint device according to the present invention can be assembled in a ship of the prior art, thereby avoiding the cost increase of winch equipment such as anchor winch and hydraulic motor.

The above and other features of the present invention are apparently understood from the following description of the preferred embodiment which refers to the accompanying drawings but which does not limit the invention.

1 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of a chain binding device according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view similar to FIG. 1 and shown in line with the components of the chain restraint in order to show some components inside the chain restraint; FIG.
3 is a close-up view of a portion of the chain restraint with some components removed.
4 is a perspective view showing a first embodiment of a chain binding element pawl for the chain restraint device;
5 is another perspective view of the chain restraint with some components removed.
FIG. 6 is a side view of the components of the chain restraint and shown in line and showing a part of the chain restraint to show some components inside the chain restraint. FIG.
FIG. 7 is a view similar to FIG. 6 showing the movement position of the counter weight; FIG.
8 to 12 are perspective views showing various steps relating to the operation of the chain restraint and showing a second embodiment of a pawl.
13 is a perspective view showing a restraining element arranged in a chain restraint position;
Fig. 14 is an enlarged side view of the restraining element arranged in the chain restraint position;
15 and 16 are schematic side views showing the effect of the angle of the contact surface.
FIG. 17 is a perspective view of the chain restraint when the chain restraint is in an inoperative position, ie when the pawl is lifted away from another chain; FIG.
FIG. 18 is a schematic side view of an embodiment of a restraint element comprising fingers having an outer portion forming an angle; FIG.

Referring first to FIGS. 1 and 2 in the accompanying drawings, the chain restraint device of the present invention consists of two upright plate elements 4a, 4b in the illustrated embodiment, the upright plate element 4a, 4b) are attached on the bottom of the ship deck (not shown in the figure) according to the prior art. The chain restraint can be welded to the deck between the winch and the anchor line pipe by replacing a prior art chain stopper. The anchor chain 16 (only a portion of which is shown) moves along the arrow I into the hull towards the winch (not shown) and out of the hull towards the anchorage hole and the sea (not shown). Move along the arrow (O). Thus, when the anchor chain is discharged out of the hull, the anchor chain moves in the direction of the arrow (O), whereas, for example, when the anchor chain is pulled inwards in connection with lifting the anchor, the direction of the anchor chain moves in the direction of the arrow (I). To exercise. The operations known as prior art are not described further.

The anchor chain 16 comprises a plurality of individual chain links, which are alternately arranged approximately perpendicular to each other by the prior art. An upright or substantially vertical chainlink 5 is shown and a substantially horizontal chainlink 9 in a prone state. For the sake of explanation, it is referred to as vertical chainlink 5 and horizontal chainlink 9 even if the direction of the chainlinks is not strictly horizontal or vertical.

The chain restraint device also includes a guide roller 12 for changing the direction of the chain according to a predetermined method. The guide roller known in the prior art (in reference to FIG. 5) comprises a vertical support surface for the vertical chainlink 5 and the horizontal chainlink 9 in the illustrated embodiment. The guide roller also includes other known constructions with several "pockets" for chain links.

In addition, the chain restraint device is a chain guide portion in a stationary state, more specifically, the guide surfaces (14a, 14b) and the vertical chainlink (for the horizontal chainlinks 9) (refer to FIGS. 3 and 5). 5) for the guide groove (15).

The chain restraining element pawl 2 is rotatably supported by the rotating part 2b in the support part 2a of the coincidence structure in the upstanding plate elements 4a and 4b. Thus, the chain restraining element 2 is arranged on the chain from an inoperative position lifted away from the chain (see FIG. 17), for example as shown in FIGS. 2, 7 and 8. It can be rotated on operation. The chain restraint element 2 further comprises a rotatable lever 3 having a counterweight 7 attached to the free end of the chain restraint element 2. The lever 3 can be rotated to adjust the load on the chain restraint element 2 on the anchor chain. Referring to Figures 2 and 7, an example of two end positions about 180 degrees apart is shown. Referring to FIG. 7, the position at which the chain restraint element 2 exerts the maximum load (provided by the counterweight) on the chain is shown. Referring to FIG. 2, another end position with relatively low load on the chain is shown. When the lever 3 is arranged in the position of FIG. 2, the lever is used as a handle and the user lifts the chain restraint element to the inoperative position.

Referring to FIG. 4, the chain restraining element 2 further comprises two fingers 17a, 17b. Between the fingers 17a and 17b the fingers form a hole 21 for receiving the vertical chainlinks 5 (shown in FIG. 5). Each finger 17a, 17b has a chain contact surface 23a, 23b for contacting a horizontal chain link 9 when the chain restraining element 2 is arranged in a chain restraint position (see FIG. 6). And sliding support surfaces 20a and 20b which are in sliding contact with the upper part of the horizontal chain links 9 when the chain is pulled into the winch. The following description of the function of the contact surfaces 19a and 19b and the contact surfaces 19a and 19b is provided.

According to an alternative embodiment, the support surfaces 20a and 20b have individual wear elements 22a and 22b shown in FIG. 9. The wear elements 22a and 22b, which may be made of synthetic material such as nylon, reduce the friction between the chain restraint element and the chain link of metallic material, thereby reducing the wear and shear between the elements and also reducing the noise. Decrease. When the chain restraint element 2 is arranged in the operating position (i.e. on the chain) so that the anchor chain starts to slide (in the "O" direction), the fingers of the chain restraint element 2 become horizontal chains. The risk of breaking the link is reduced by the support surfaces 20a and 20b and the wear elements 22a and 22b.

3 and 5 showing a static chain guiding portion, each guide surface 14a, 14b has a contact surface 10a, 10b of the recess structure. The contact surfaces 10a and 10b coincide with the contact surfaces 19a and 19b of the chain restraint element and are designed to provide a fixed support for the chain restraint element. The discharge openings 6a, 6b shown in Figs. 3 and 5 are aligned in the lower regions of the contact surfaces 10a, 10b (see Fig. 14). Thus, mud and fine clay that can be attached to the chain are conveniently discharged from the chain restraint through the discharge opening. The discharge action is reinforced through the contact surfaces 19a and 19b of the chain restraining element which are pressed against the contact surfaces of the groove structure by the action of the chain.

The operation of the chain restraint device according to the present invention can be conveniently divided as follows.

a) non-operational mode in which the chain restraint element 2 is lifted away from the chain (e.g., the anchor chain is pulled out) (see FIG. 17),

b) stand-by mode of operation when the anchor chain is pulled inwards towards the winch and the chain restraint element slides on the horizontal chainlinks 9,

c) an acting mode of arresting state when the anchor chain begins to slide out of the winch and the chain restraint element is engaged with a horizontal chain link 9;

d) constrained chain stoppers when the anchor chain is in a static state, ie when the anchor is arranged in a stowed position with respect to the hull, when the anchor is installed on the seabed or when the vessel is anchored or floated. Operating mode.

The following description of the standby and restrained operating modes is provided primarily with reference to FIGS. 8 to 13.

FIG. 8 shows a variant of the chain restraint element without wear elements and FIGS. 9 to 12 show a variant with wear elements 22a and 22b. However, the following description of operation applies for both variants. Fig. 8 shows a state in which the pivot is rotated away from the chain restraining element as described above. On the other hand, FIGS. 9 to 12 show a case in which the lever 3 and the counterweight 7 are pivoted toward the chain restraint element to apply a relatively large load to the chain restraint element. Although the position of the lever shown in FIGS. 9 to 12 is preferred because it provides relatively fast restraint, the following description applies in principle to both positions of the lever.

8 and 9 show a state in which the anchor chain is pulled toward the original (“I” direction) and the fingers of the chain restraint element 2 slide on the horizontal chain link 9 as described above. . In this state, the chain restraint follows the motion of the chain and is in standby mode of operation.

Fig. 10 shows the direction in which the load acting on the chain (due to swells and the like described in the background) is larger than the winching's pulling load and the anchor chain is directed towards the anchor pipe (" I "). The state which starts to move toward an outer side is shown. The fingers 17a, 17b of the chain restraint element start to slide from the horizontal chain link 9.

Referring to FIG. 11, the state shown in FIG. 10 is further advanced, and the fingers of the chain restraint element are separated from the horizontal chain link 9. Subsequent vertical chainlinks 5 can pass through the chain restraint element unobstructed by the holes 21.

12 shows that as the chain moves further in the " I " direction, the fingers contact the next horizontal chainlink 9 'along the chainlink 9 and the contact surfaces 19a and 19b of the fingers are guided ( A method of contacting the corresponding contact surfaces 10a, 10b of 14a, 14b is shown. Thus, Figure 12 shows the chain when the chain is completely constrained by the chain restraint. The same state shown in FIG. 12 is shown at different angles in FIG. 13 and shows how the chain contacting surfaces 23a and 23b of the fingers are in contact with the horizontal chainlink. According to the above description, assuming that the winch is pulled into the anchor chain, the chain restraint element is automatically released and the chain restraint element is assumed to be in the sliding position on the horizontal chain links and is in the standby mode of operation. .

The fully locked state is shown schematically in FIGS. 15 and 16. 15 and 16 show the effect of the rake angle of the contact surfaces 19a, 19b, 10a, 10b. The load F _R formed by the anchor chain of the chain fixing device is shown by an arrow and the load components F _A , F _B of the load are shown.

FIG. 15 shows the first rake angle α ₁ , and the chain restraint element has a straight structure. 16 shows the first rake angle α ₂ and the outer end of the chain restraint element, with the contact surfaces 19a and 19b having a brake angle β with respect to the rest of the chain restraint element. Therefore, the contact surfaces 19a, 19b, 10a, and 10b shown in FIG. 16 are formed steeper than the contact surfaces 19a, 19b, 10a, and 10b shown in FIG. 15, that is, α ₁ > α ₂ . Therefore, it is preferable to have a relatively steep rake angle (α ₂ and brake angle β> 0 in FIG. 16 because it generates a relatively small load F _A with respect to the rotating part 2b of the chain restraint element. This structure is preferred in terms of structural design, so that the rake angle α and the brake angle β of the chain restraint element can be optimized so that the load of the anchor chain is mainly received by the contact surfaces 10a and 10b. Fig. 18 shows the brake angle β as a close schematic view of a modification of the chain restraint element.

2 .... chain restraints,
3 .... lever,
4a, 4b .... upright element,
5,9 ... chain link,
7 .... counterweight,
15 ... Home,
17a, 17b .... finger,
19a, 19b ....
20a, 20b .... support surface

Claims (6)

In a chain restraint device for an anchor chain which comprises guide means (14a, 14b, 15) for chain links (5, 9) and is operated by winches,
A chain restraining element operable between a first position away from the chain links, a second position in contact with the chain links in a non-arresting state and a third position in contact with the chain links in a restrained state ( 2), wherein the chain restraint element 2 comprises at least one first contact means 23a, 23b for contacting the first chain link 9 and corresponding contact means which are stopped in the chain restraint device. And at least one second contact means (19a, 19b) for making contact with (10a, 10b). 2. A guide groove according to claim 1, comprising guide grooves (15) for sliding connection with the first chain link (9) and first guide surfaces (14a, 14b) for sliding connection with the second chain link (5). 3 The chain restraint device characterized in that the contact means (10a, 10b) comprises a contact surface of the inclined structure in at least one groove portion of the guide surface (14a, 14b). The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the chain restraint element (2) comprises support surfaces (20a, 20b) for sliding contact with the first chain link (5) when the chain passes through the chain restraint device. Chain restraint characterized in that. 4. The chain restraint according to claim 3, wherein the support surface (20a, 20b) further comprises a wear element (22a, 22b). 2. The chain restraint element 2 according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the chain restraint element 2 pivots around the support points 2a, 2b between the first, second and third positions and is supported by the lever 3 2a, 2b) further comprising a counterweight (7) capable of pivoting around, so that the load of the chain restraint element (2) can be selectively increased or decreased. The chain lock according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a discharge opening (6a, 6b) in fluid communication with the lower region of the third contacting means (10a, 10b).

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