Automatic release system on a supply or tug vessel

Abstract

Automatic release system on a supply- or tug-vessel, comprising a rotational towing hook (10) supported on a vertical axel (16), for receipt of a towing hawser (12), and a releasing unit for releasing the towing hawser (12) from the towing hook (10). A registration unit (14) is installed above the towing hook (10) working area, said registration unit (14) being a tiltable or liftable hoop plate, where the registration unit (14), under influence of vertical angular movement in the towing hawser's (12) horizontal direction in relation to the towing hook (10), is arranged to trigger release of the releasing unit.

Claims

1. An automatic release system on a supply or tug vessel, comprising a towing hook supported on a vertical axle, for receipt of a towing hawser, and a releasing unit for releasing the towing hawser from the towing hook, wherein a registration unit is installed above a towing hook working area, said registration unit being a tiltable or liftable hoop plate, where the registration unit, under influence of vertical angular movement in a towing hawser's horizontal direction in relation to the towing hook, triggers release of the releasing unit.

2. The automatic release system according to claim 1, wherein the registration unit triggers release of the releasing unit at predetermined maximum bit and trim angles of a vessel dependent on horizontal direction of the towing hawser in relation to a longitudinal or a transverse axis of the vessel.

3. The automatic release system according to claim 1, wherein the registration unit is supported on the vertical axle that supports the towing hook, and rotates together with the towing hook.

4. The automatic release system according to claim 1, wherein the registration unit is skiddably supported on the vertical axle that supports the towing hook, and is liftable under influence of vertical angular movement of the towing hook.

5. The automatic release system according to claim 1, wherein the registration unit is supported on the vertical axle that supports the towing hook, and is tiltable about a rotation point under influence of vertical angular movement of the towing hook.

6. The automatic release system according to claim 1, wherein the registration unit is connected with a linked arm connection to the releasing unit for transfer of a releasing force.

7. The automatic release system according to claim 6, wherein the linked arm connection pulls or releases a releasing wire connected to the releasing unit.

8. The automatic release system according to claim 6, wherein the linked arm connection opens a valve between an accumulator and a cylinder unit, where the cylinder unit activates the releasing unit.

9. The automatic release system according to claim 6, wherein an impact plate is vertically moveable above the registration unit, where the impact plate transfers angular movement of the towing hook from the registration unit to the linked arm connection.

10. The automatic release system according to claim 1, wherein an impact plate is vertically moveable above the registration unit, where the impact plate is connected to a hydraulic system, which activates a valve that releases the releasing unit.

11. The automatic release system according to claim 1, wherein the registration unit is equipped with an upward bolt, where a clearance between the upward bolt and an impact plate provides a desired release angle.

12. The automatic release system according to claim 1, wherein the registration unit is the tiltable or liftable hoop plate and has a partly spherical geometry on an underside.

13. The automatic release system according to claim 1, wherein a clearance between the registration unit and the towing hook gives a desired release angle.

Description

DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

(1) The preferred construction of the invention will be described more detailed in the attached figures below, wherein:

(2) FIG. 1 show a principal sketch of the release system according to the invention.

(3) FIG. 2 show a principal sketch of the first version of a pneumatic release system according to the invention.

(4) FIG. 3 show a principal sketch of a second pneumatic release system according to the invention.

(5) FIG. 4 show a principal sketch of a hydraulic release system according to the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

(6) Manual releasers for towing hooks are fabricated and sold in many variants, both pneumatically, hydraulically, and mechanically solutions, as wire pulling. Common for all solutions are a device for release of the hook, wheel or hasp which is holding the towing hawser are released such that towing hawser is free to go. The trigger for release can be activated from the manoeuvre position and other positions onboard. A releaser system is known by the professionals, and therefore not shown or more described in this application.

(7) Alternatively, a releaser that cuts the towing hawser can be used, for instance a scissor or a knife. Accordingly, the invention can also be used for activating such a cutting mechanism.

(8) The registration unit 14 according to the invention can be a tiltable hoop plate or a similar plate that is liftable and which can be elevated. The liftable plate can be vertically skidable on the same axis or axle as the towing hook. Both embodiments are influenced by movement of the towing hook and the towing hawser. The invention is basically disclosed in relation the tiltable hoop plate, but works just as well with the liftable plate.

(9) FIG. 1 shows a principal sketch of a first simple constructed release system according to the invention, and comprises a towing hook 10 which as in common knowledge is supported for rotation around the axel 16. A towing hawser 12 is hooked on the towing hook 10. To let the towing hook 10 release in this example, a pulling wire 22 is used, and when pulled the towing hook 10 is released and let the towing hawser 12 free to go.

(10) Above and in a distance from the towing hook 10 is a registration unit 14 shown, here for example as a hoop plate or arm connected to the same axel 16, such that the registration unit 14 follow the towing hook 10 when this is rotating.

(11) The registration unit is in the following text referred to as a hoop plate 14. The hoop plate may be curved, which means it may have on its underside a spherical geometry. Clearance between the hoop plate 14 and the towing hook 10 will give the release angle, which means that if the angle between the towing hook 10 and the hoop plate 14 is reduced enough, shown with the arrow A, the towing hook 10 will hit and lift up the hoop plate 14. The hoop plate 14 is on the back connected to a linked arm connection 20, which will pull the trigger wire 22 such that the releasing unit is releasing the towing hook 10 and let the towing hawser 12 free to go.

(12) The hoop plate 14 and the linked arm connection 20 may be linked together in the rotation point 18, or connection point in case of a liftable plate, and the length of the transmission arm will then give the length of the wire pulling distance. This way a reference to the tug vessels heeling angle is connected to the direction of the towing hawser vertically. The construction of the release system is adjusted to fit the design of the actual towing hook installed.

(13) FIG. 2 shows a principal sketch of another design of a release system according to the invention, where a first solution with a pneumatic system for giving the wire pull pulling force. The towing hook 10, hoop plate 14 and support bearing is as explained above as shown in FIG. 1, or as with the liftable plate. When the hoop plate 14 is moved, the movement is transferred via the linked arm connection 20 to a valve 30. This valve 30 is installed between an accumulator 32 for compressed air or other gas and a pneumatic cylinder 34. When the valve 32 is opened, it activates the pneumatic cylinder 34 such that the piston rod 34a pull the wire for trigging release of the towing hook 10.

(14) FIG. 3 shows a principal sketch of a third solution for the release system according to the invention, where a second design for pneumatic system is used for pulling the release wire. The towing hook 10, hoop plate 14 and support bearing is as explained above with respect to the FIGS. 1 and 2, or as with the liftable plate. The hoop plate 14 may be installed such that it is in contact with the towing hook 10. In a distance above the hoop plate 14 is installed a vertical and linear moveable touch or impact plate 24 for transfer of the angle to vertical linear movement independent of the towing hook 10 horizontal position.

(15) The impact plate 24 may have a sliding bearing on the same vertical axel 16 as the hoop plate 14 and the towing hook 10. The impact plate 24 may be formed as explained for the hoop plate 14. Hoop plate 14 may with this form have a vertical bolt 26 where the clearance between the hoop plate 14 bolt 26 and the impact plate 24 give the desired angle for trigging release. The bolt 26 may be adjustable in height, for instance by an adjustable bolt

(16) The back of the hoop plate 14 is supported in the rotation point 19, and when the hoop plate 14 flips upwards by the towing hook 10 will the bolt 26 press against the impact plate 24, which via its vertical linear movement will transfer the force to the linked arm connection 20 and valve 30 installed between the accumulator 32 and the pneumatic cylinder unit 34 for trigging release of the towing hook 10.

(17) In both designs shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 may the accumulator 32 be filled by the vessels motor.

(18) FIG. 4 shows a principal sketch of a fourth design of the release system according to the invention, where a hydraulic system is used for the release. The towing hook 10, hoop plate 14, touch plate 24 and support bearings is as explained above with respect to FIG. 3. When the hoop plate 14 flips up, or is moved vertically, by the towing hook 10 will the bolt 26 be pressed against the touch plate 24 which via its vertical linear movement transfer the force to a hydraulic system 40 for trigging the release of the towing hook 10. The hydraulic system 40 comprises in the shown construction a first hydraulic cylinder 44 connected to the impact plate 24, where the first cylinder may have large inside diameter. The first cylinder 44 has pipe connection to a second cylinder 46, which may preferably have a smaller inside diameter, such that the piston rod movement will be enlarged. The piston rod of the second cylinder 46 is connected to a valve 42 for trigging the release, or the second cylinder 46 may be connected to the pulling wire as explained for FIGS. 2 and 3.

(19) Both the pneumatic and hydraulic solutions can also be used for activating a cutting mechanism (not shown) for cutting the towing hawser 12.

(20) The invention is described above as a mechanical solution. However, it is conceivable that the registration unit is an electrical or electromechanical device which is similarly mounted over the towing hooks 10 range of application, and which, under the influence of vertical angle fluctuation to the towing hook or the towing hawser, is arranged to cause triggering of the releaser, for instance by breaking or terminating a circuit so that a signal is sent to the equipment that triggers the towing hook. The aforementioned power problems can be avoided by using equipment requiring minimal power or by using more power sources.