Electricity Supply Device for theTransport of Containers such as Refrigerator Containers

Abstract

A device includes a structure adapted to be coupled to the roof of a container, and which includes a main cabling that passes through the device between the front and rear ends thereof and which allows two or more devices to be connected together; and secondary cabling, with at least one connection terminal, which is connected to the main cabling and is used to supply electricity to at least the container on which same is situated; and an arm for securing/releasing twistlock securing elements by a mechanical system, the ends of the arms being provided with terminals for connecting the main cabling.

Claims

1-16. (canceled)

17. An electricity supply device for transport containers such as refrigerator containers, comprising a structure adapted to be arranged on a container, the structure comprising: twistlock securing elements having twistlock securing corner castings in a lower part thereof for being secured and inserted into upper corner castings of a container; and twistlock securing corner castings in upper corners thereof; a main cabling attaching a front end to a rear end of the device, the main cabling comprising: a first connector at one of the ends; and a second connector at an opposite end; wherein said main cabling allows at least two of said electricity supply devices to be connected in series and one said electricity supply device to be connected to an electrical energy supply source; a secondary cabling connected to the main cabling by which electricity is supplied to electrical equipment of the container via a connector of said secondary cabling; an articulated arm arranged on each of smaller front and rear sides of the structure, wherein the main cabling and the secondary cabling are attached to the arm in such a manner that the arm is movable between two positions, including a first position parallel and horizontal to the structure, and a second position perpendicular and vertical to the structure, in which in one of the positions of the arm, the twistlock securing elements are secured to the container, and in the other one of the positions the twistlock securing elements are free.

18. The electricity supply device for the transport of containers such as refrigerator containers according to claim 17, wherein the structure is comprised of two longitudinal beams arranged in parallel attached by an assembly of transverse beams in turn arranged perpendicular to said longitudinal beams, and wherein the main cabling runs through an interior of at least one of the longitudinal beams.

19. The electricity supply device for the transport of containers such as refrigerator containers according to claim 17, wherein the articulated arm includes a shaft, said shaft includes at least one articulation of an end of at least one connecting rod for actuating at least one twistlock securing element, and the at least one twistlock securing element includes at least one articulation of another one of the ends of the at least one connecting rod, such that rotation of the shaft by actuation of the articulated arm causes a shift of the point of articulation with the connecting rod and a corresponding longitudinal shift of said connecting rod, and a corresponding rotation of the twistlock securing element.

20. The electricity supply device for the transport of containers such as refrigerator containers according to claim 17, wherein horizontal dimensions of the structure are equal to horizontal dimensions of the container on which it is to be secured.

21. The electricity supply device for the transport of containers such as refrigerator containers according to claim 19, wherein the structure for 45-foot containers is common to that developed for 40-foot containers, with the exception of the length of the shaft of the arm.

22. The electricity supply device for the transport of containers such as refrigerator containers according to claim 17, further comprising a voltage converter for modifying and stabilizing the voltage received by the container.

23. The electricity supply device for the transport of containers such as refrigerator containers according to claim 17, further comprising a support for a battery and a battery arranged in said support, connected to the electrical system.

24. The electricity supply device for the transport of containers such as refrigerator containers according to claim 17, further comprising a stacking arrangement with identical devices, and in that a twistlock securing element is arranged between every two devices.

25. The electricity supply device for the transport of containers such as refrigerator containers according to claim 17, further comprising longitudinal bars attached at ends thereof by respective outer bars, with ends of said outer bars having twistlock pins in a lower part thereof, and mechanisms for handling the same by container transport machinery.

26. The electricity supply device for the transport of containers such as refrigerator containers according to claim 25, wherein the articulated arm is attached at an end thereof to a shaft, with the arm and the shaft being perpendicular to one another, and with the shaft being arranged in one said outer bar perpendicular to same.

27. The electricity supply device for the transport of containers such as refrigerator containers according to claim 26, wherein an end of the shaft farthest away from the outer bar and attached to the articulated arm is arranged on a spacer which, in turn, is attached to the outer bar.

28. The electricity supply device for the transport of containers such as refrigerator containers according to claim 26, wherein the shaft comprises a position marker showing the position of the arm.

29. The electricity supply device for the transport of containers such as refrigerator containers according to claim 17, wherein the main cabling and the secondary cabling are attached to the arm by an assembly of adjustable cable fasteners which are adapted to be secured in different positions along said articulated arm.

30. The electricity supply device for the transport of containers such as refrigerator containers according to claim 17, wherein the structure has a height of less than 35 cm.

31. The electricity supply device for the transport of containers such as refrigerator containers according to claim 30, wherein the structure has a height of less than 20 cm.

32. The electricity supply device for the transport of containers such as refrigerator containers according to claim 19, wherein: the structure includes at least at one of the ends with a tubular support for prolonging the length of the device; and said tubular support houses the shaft of the actuating lever.

33. The electricity supply device for the transport of containers such as refrigerator containers according to claim 17, further comprising a mechanical attachment arranged for simultaneously actuating the twistlock securing elements of two front and rear ends of the device.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0036] With the aim of illustrating the explanation below, seven pages of drawings are attached to the present specification, in which nine figures represent, by way of example and not limitation, the essence of the present invention according to a particular embodiment, and in which the following may be seen:

[0037] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of the structure of the electricity supply device of the invention assembled on a container for goods;

[0038] FIG. 2 shows a detail of the attachment by means of a twistlock between the structure of the electricity supply device and the container for goods;

[0039] FIG. 3 shows a schematic view which shows the different components forming part of the electricity supply device of the invention;

[0040] FIG. 4 shows a schematic view of the electricity supply device which shows, in accordance with an optional embodiment, the components shown in FIG. 3 to which there has been added an electrical accumulation system by means of batteries;

[0041] FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of the electricity supply device, according to an embodiment of the present invention, according to an embodiment envisaged for 20 or 40-foot containers.

[0042] FIG. 6 shows the release position of the electricity supply device with respect to the (non-depicted) container of FIG. 5;

[0043] FIG. 7 shows a securing position of the electricity supply device in the (non-depicted) container of FIG. 5;

[0044] FIG. 8 shows a schematic perspective view of the actuation mechanism of the twistlock of one of the sides of the device by means of the actuating lever, in an embodiment envisaged for 45-foot containers; and

[0045] FIG. 9 shows a schematic perspective view of a detail of the actuation mechanism on the twistlock, in which the outer beam has been cut away.

[0046] The following reference signs can be seen in the figures: [0047] 10 container [0048] 11 upper corner castings of the container [0049] 20 structure of the device [0050] upper corner castings of the device [0051] main cabling [0052] 22a first connector of the main cabling [0053] 22b second connector of the main cabling [0054] 23 secondary cabling [0055] 23a connector of the secondary cabling [0056] 24 take-up device [0057] 25 voltage regulator or converter [0058] 26 battery [0059] 30 longitudinal beams [0060] 31 transverse bracing bars [0061] 32 outer beams [0062] 33 twistlock pins of the device [0063] 34 arm [0064] 35 shaft [0065] 36 spacer [0066] 37 position marker [0067] 38 adjustable cable fastener [0068] 40 body for actuating the shaft of the arm; [0069] 41 connecting rod for actuating the twistlock [0070] 42 articulation of the connecting rod on the shaft 35 for actuating the twistlock [0071] 43 articulation of the connecting rod on the twistlock [0072] 44 tubular support [0073] 45 Support platform

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

[0074] In light of the aforementioned figures, and in accordance with the adopted numbering, one may observe therein an exemplary embodiment of the invention, which comprises the parts and elements indicated and described in detail below.

[0075] Therefore, as can be observed in FIG. 1, the device of the invention is based on a usually metal structure (20), of a height of less than 35 cm and preferably less than 20 cm, and horizontal dimensions usually equal to those of the container in which it is situated (since 45-foot containers have a double twistlock securing anchor, the structure (20) envisaged for 40-foot containers may be used, such that the ends of the device will be located a certain distance from the ends of the container), conceived to be arranged on a container (10), such as a refrigerated container, and once arranged on the container, the assembly differs from the geometry of the container (10) only in height. The structure (20) is provided with twistlock pins (33) in the lower part thereof, by means of which the device is coupled to the roof of the container, being inserted in the four upper corner castings (11) of the container (10), and which allow the container and device to form a single body. Said structure may also be provided with upper corner castings (21), when required due to the height of the device, for holding and handling the assembly (formed by container and device), for example by means of cranes, reach stacker-type forklifts, or any other apparatus for handling containers.

[0076] The twistlock pins (33) are integrated in the structure (20) and have an automatic opening and closing mechanism for when the structure (20) is positioned on the roof of the container (10). It can also be observed how four corner castings (21) are arranged in the upper corners of the structure (20) for handling same with machinery usually found in ports and intermodal terminals for arranging the structure (20) on the container (10), and for handling the assembly once the structure (20) has been secured to the container (10).

[0077] The detail of the attachment of the structure (20) with the container (10) can be observed in FIG. 2.

[0078] The basic configuration of the elements forming the electricity supply device for transport in containers of the invention can be seen schematically in FIG. 3. The device thus comprises at least one main cabling (22) attaching both front and rear ends of the device, which allows several units of the device to be connected in series. This first cabling (22) comprises a first connector (22a) at one end and a second connector (22b) at the other end; these first and second connectors determine the power inlet and outlet connections. This main cabling (22) comprises a take-up device, such as a winding or take-up device (24) equipped with elastic recovery means, usually close to the first connector (22a) or to the second connector (22b) which, in addition to allowing the lengthening thereof to make the connection, maintains the necessary tension to minimize the length extracted for the connection due to the elastic means thereof. The first connector (22a) of the device attached to a first container is connected to the second connector (22b) of the device attached to a second connector, and so on and so forth. At least one of the connectors at one of the ends is connected with the primary source of electricity. In the event that the primary source of electricity is a generator, it can be arranged in a central car (in the case of transport by railway) and therefore supply electricity both towards the front and towards the back.

[0079] From the main cabling (22), there is at least one shunt of a secondary cabling (23), with at least one connector (23a), by means of which electricity is supplied to the electrical equipment, usually refrigeration equipment. In said secondary cabling (23), there is preferably arranged a voltage regulator or converter (25) which modifies and/or stabilizes the voltage supplied, in the case of the embodiment of FIG. 1, through the primary source of electricity (not shown in the figures). The connections and protection devices will usually be situated in connection boxes arranged on a support platform (45).

[0080] The refrigerated containers are very well insulated. However, it is necessary to gradually recover the setpoint temperature to compensate for the heat that is outwardly transmitted. Depending on the required temperature and on environmental conditions, the operating cycles of the cooling system will be shorter or longer and will occur every more or less time. However, recovery of the thermal conditions is essential for products such as frozen goods, which, when the cold chain is broken, may be rendered useless or it may adversely affect the duration thereof in conditions of use. When breakdowns occur, for example, because the catenary breaks, the product will be in the container for a prolonged period of time and the thermal level inside the container must be maintained. For that purpose, as an optional element, it has been envisaged that the device of the invention is optionally provided with a battery or electric accumulator (26), as seen in FIG. 4, which will usually be arranged in a support inside the structure; in a particularly but non-limiting manner, the power supplied by these batteries must be between 2 k W and 7 kW, and it must be capable of supplying electric current for one to six hours, depending on the temperature to be maintained inside the container. This guarantees electricity is supplied to the cooling system, even in the event of an external electricity supply element breaking down, or in any case where electricity must be supplied on the journey during intermediate steps in intermodal transport.

[0081] It is envisaged that the system for releasing or taking up the cables can be carried out by means of an automatic system, in which when the device is to be connected, the operator already has the cable released, and vice versa, such that upon disconnecting the corresponding connections, the cables can be automatically taken up, which entails considerable savings in the handling cost in terminals, as well as an increase in safety for the personnel in charge of handling the connections.

[0082] It is also envisaged, as an option, that the device may constitute a temperature control and communication unit which can send data about the temperature curves and consumption to the customer or user of said container.

[0083] Once the use has ended, the devices of the invention can be stacked by means of twistlocks up to a specific height and be handled like a container.

[0084] It is envisaged that the twistlock securing pins (33) for securing the structure (20) on the container (10) have automatic opening and closing mechanisms.

[0085] An alternative embodiment of the present invention can be observed in FIGS. 5, 6 and 7. In said embodiment, the structure is formed by a pair of longitudinal beams (30) arranged in parallel which are attached by an assembly of transverse bars (31) arranged perpendicularly between them. At least one of the longitudinal beams (30) is hollow, and the main cabling (22) runs through the interior thereof. In turn, the bars transverse (31) can be profiles of any type.

[0086] The ends of the longitudinal beams (30) are attached to respective outer beams (32). Lower twistlock pins (33) and mechanisms for handling by means of machinery for transporting containers are located at the ends of said outer beams (32).

[0087] In each outer beam (32), there is arranged an arm (34) articulated with respect to said outer beam (32), such that the arm (34) has two positions, a first horizontal position parallel to the outer beam (32), as shown in FIG. 7, in which the twistlock is free, and another second vertical position perpendicular to said outer beam (32), as shown in FIG. 8, in which the twistlock is secured to the container.

[0088] The arm (34) is attached at the end thereof to a shaft (35), with the arm and the shaft being perpendicular to one another. The shaft (35) is arranged in the outer beam (32) perpendicular to same, and the function thereof is to support the arm (34). Optionally, the end of the shaft (35) farthest away from the outer beam (32) and attached to the arm (34) is arranged on a spacer (36) in turn attached to the outer beam (32) to prevent the bending produced by the weight of the arm from producing deformations in said shaft (35).

[0089] On one of the outer arms, the arm is used as a support both for the section of the main cabling (22) and for the section of the secondary cabling (23) coming out of the outer beam (32) of the structure (20), the corresponding second connector of the main cabling (22b) and connector of the secondary cabling (23a) being arranged at the ends of the main cabling and the secondary cabling supported by the arm (34). The cables are attached to the arm (34) by means of an assembly of adjustable cable fasteners (38), which can be secured in different positions along the arm (34). On the outer arm (32) of the opposite end of the structure, the arm is used as a support for the section of the main cabling (23) comprising at the end thereof the first connector of the main cabling (23a).

[0090] According to an embodiment option shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, a tubular support (44) which prolongs the length of the device is situated at the two ends of the device. The shaft (35) exits the transverse beam (32), through the tubular support (44), if there is one, which shaft is attached at one of the ends thereof to the arm (34). The shaft (35) of the arm (34) has an articulation element (42) for connecting rods (41) for actuating the twistlock (33), arranged a certain distance from the geometric axis of the shaft (35). When the arm (34) is lowered from a position vertical to a position horizontal, or vice versa, the shaft (35) is rotated, and with that rotation the articulation (42) is shifted angularly, such that said point of articulation moves away from or closer to the vertical shafts of the twistlocks arranged at each of the ends of the corresponding outer beam.

[0091] Since the articulated connecting rod is also an articulation (43) on the body of the twistlock (33), also a certain distance from the geometric axis thereof, the longitudinal shift of the connecting rod (41) will cause the rotation of the twistlock in a direction of rotation corresponding with the shift of the connecting rod. The lowering of the arm (34) in the opposite direction will also cause the rotation of the shaft (35) in the opposite direction, the corresponding shift of the connecting rods, and the also opposite rotation of the twistlocks.

[0092] According to an embodiment option, the shaft (35) comprises, preferably at the end opposite the end where the arm (34) is attached, a position marker (37) showing the position of the arm and therefore the securing status on the container, which thus allows knowing the status of the switch without needing to see the arm itself.