Telescopic access bridge, unit provided therewith, and method there for

Abstract

A telescopic access bridge includes a unit provided therewith, and a method therefor. The telescopic access bridge comprises a base unit, an elevating unit having a first end with a first hinged connection to the base unit and a second end, and a bridge comprising a main bridge part and a telescopic bridge part. The bridge has one end with a second hinged connection to the second end of the elevating unit.

Claims

1. A telescopic access bridge, comprising: a base unit; an elevating unit having a first end with a first hinged connection to the base unit and a second end; a bridge comprising a main bridge part and a telescopic bridge part, the bridge having one end with a second hinged connection to the second end of the elevating unit, and a compensating controller configured for providing an active and/or a passive compensation to the telescopic access bridge, wherein in the active compensation, the compensating controller is position controlled, and in the passive compensation, the compensating controller is force controlled; wherein the second hinged connection is configured to enable a side-by-side orientation or top-down orientation of the elevating unit and the bridge in a storage position of the telescopic access bridge.

2. The telescopic access bridge according to claim 1, wherein the first and second hinged connections are configured to enable storing the access bridge in a folding position.

3. The telescopic access bridge according to claim 1, further comprising a slewing mechanism configured for rotating the bridge relative to the elevating unit.

4. The telescopic access bridge according to claim 1, further comprising a luffing mechanism enabling rotation of the bridge around a substantial horizontal axis.

5. The telescopic access bridge according to claim 1, wherein the elevating unit comprises a stair with a number of steps and further comprises a compensating mechanism configured for adjusting the angle of the steps with the angle of the stair.

6. The telescopic access bridge according to claim 1, wherein the unit is part of a ship, vessel or vehicle.

7. A vessel, ship or vehicle provided with a telescopic access bridge according to claim 1.

8. The telescopic access bridge according to claim 1, wherein the telescopic bridge part comprises a bridge tip configured for connecting to another unit in a position of use.

9. The telescopic access bridge according to claim 8, further comprising an inflatable bridge tip.

10. The telescopic access bridge according to claim 1, further comprising an intermediate platform connecting the elevating unit and the bridge.

11. The telescopic access bridge according to claim 10, further comprising a lifting mechanism configured for maintaining the intermediate platform substantially level, the lifting mechanism comprising a cylinder for raising and/or lowering the elevating unit.

12. The telescopic access bridge according to claim 11, the lifting mechanism further comprising one or more beams configured for maintaining the bridge substantially level.

13. A method for providing access, comprising: providing a foldable telescopic access bridge according to claim 1; and positioning the bridge.

14. The method according to claim 13, further comprising storing the telescopic access bridge.

15. The method according to claim 13, further comprising actively and/or passively compensating movement of the base unit.

Description

(1) Further advantages, features and details of the invention are elucidated on basis of preferred embodiments thereof, wherein reference is made to the accompanying drawings wherein:

(2) FIGS. 1 and 2 show a telescopic access bridge according to the invention in two positions;

(3) FIG. 3 shows a ship with an alternative bridge according to the present invention;

(4) FIG. 4 shows the bridge of FIG. 3 in different orientations;

(5) FIG. 5 shows the bridge of FIGS. 3 and 4 at different angles and lengths;

(6) FIG. 6 shows the bridge of FIGS. 3-5 at different heights;

(7) FIG. 7 A-B shows the bridge in a transport configuration;

(8) FIG. 8 shows another foldable marine access bridge in two positions; and

(9) FIG. 9 A-D shows the bridge of FIG. 7 when folding the bridge in different positions.

(10) Telescopic access bridge 2 (FIGS. 1 and 2) comprises a base unit, in the illustrated embodiment flat rack 4 of container 6. Stairs 8 is connected with flat rack 4 at first end 10 with hinge or shaft 12. Height adjustment cylinder 14 acts as lifting mechanism and is connected with connection 16 to flat rack 4 and enables rotation of stairs around axis 12. Steps 18 of stairs 8 are mechanically adjustable with mechanism 20 to angle of stairs 8 with flat rack 4. Other end 22 of stairs 8 is connected with hinge or shaft 24 to intermediate platform 26. Bridge 28 with main bridge 30 and telescopic bridge part 32 are connected at end 34 to platform 26. Luffing cylinder 36 enables a luffing movement. Slewing element 38 enables a slewing movement. Telescopic movement of bridge 28 is enabled by telescopic mechanism 40, for example including cylinders or a winch. Parallel beams 42 enable intermediate platform 26 and flat rack 4 to be level in all positions when manipulating adjustment cylinder 14. Stairs 44 enable access to bridge 2. Bridge tip 46 connects end 48 of bridge 2 to further unit 50. When positioning bridge 2, bridge 2 is moved in height with one or more cylinders 14. In this embodiment, in a transport mode bridge 28 is rotated relative to stairs 8 around vertical axis or shaft 46 to enable effective transport and/or storage. It will be understood that this storage position can optionally also be achieved with the (marine) container embodiment of bridge 2 shown in FIGS. 1-2.

(11) Telescopic access bridge 102 (FIG. 3) is provided on ship 104. Bridge 102 connects ship 104 to unit 106 enabling easy and safe access from ship 104 to unit 106 and vice versa. Bridge 102 is situated on deck 108 of ship 102. 20 feet or 40 feet flatrack frame 110 is situated on 20 and/or 40 ft high cube container 112 (FIG. 4). In the illustrated embodiment frame 110 comprises platform 114 that can be reached from deck 108 with stairs 116. Platform 114 preferably comprises a modular hydraulic power unit for bridge 102. This enables stand alone operation of bridge 102. Elevating unit 118 further comprises stair 120. Stair 120 is connected to the top section of the elevating unit 118. Bridge 122 comprises main bridge part 124 and telescopic bridge part 126. Bridge parts 124, 126 can be telescopically moved relative to each other with telescopic drive system 128.

(12) In the illustrated embodiment telescopic bridge part 126 (FIG. 3) comprises modular tip 130 enabling changing tip 130 for improving access to another type of unit 106. Tip 130 also comprises inflatable bumper 132.

(13) Intermediate platform 134 is provided between bridge 122 and stairs 120 (FIGS. 3-5). The bridge with platform 134 can be raised and/or lowered with lifting mechanism 136 comprising one or two hydraulic lifting cylinders 138 connected between frame 110 and connecting rod 140. Beam 142 stabilises the entire bridge and keeps it substantially horizontal.

(14) Slewing mechanism 144 (FIGS. 3-5) enables operation in working area A (FIG. 4) in a substantial horizontal plane. Luffing cylinders 146 (FIGS. 3, 5) enable operation in a substantial vertical plane, preferably with a seamless adjustment. In the illustrated embodiment luffing cylinders 146 enable both positive and negative angles relative to a horizontal plane.

(15) Bridge 102 (FIG. 6) can be adjusted in height with lifting mechanism 136. In addition, an additional container 112a can be provided to increase maximum height.

(16) In a folded or storage position the illustrated bridge 102 is configured to fit 40 feet high cube container dimensions (FIG. 7 A-B). Bridge 102 can be transported with trailer 148.

(17) When required, modular bridge 102 can be installed as a stand-alone unit on ship 104. When use is no longer required bridge 102 can be easily removed. When access to unit 106 is required lifting mechanism 136 raises intermediate platform 134 by extending cylinders 138. In the illustrated embodiment the joint operation of rod 140 and beams 142 stabilises platform 134. Telescopic bridge part 126 is moved relative to main bridge part 124 to extend bridge 122 and enable connecting to unit 106. To end the connection telescopic bridge part 126 is retracted and lifting mechanism 136 lowers bridge 102 to its rest position and/or storage position. In this position bridge 122 and elevating unit 118 extend substantially parallel to each other in a side-by-side or top-down orientation.

(18) In another access bridge configuration, foldable marine access bridge 202 (FIG. 8) is connected to unit 204 with base frame 206 provided on vessel 208. Base frame 206 comprises entrance 210, platform 212, E-cabinet 214 for housing control components, and main platform 216. In the illustrated embodiment platform 212 houses main winch 218 and tugger winch 220. Main platform 216 houses main bridge locking system 222 and control stand 223.

(19) Bridge 224 comprises main bridge part 226 and foldable bridge part 228. Main bridge part 226 is connected with main rotating shaft 230 to unit 204. Foldable bridge part 228 and main bridge part 226 are connected with folding mechanism 232. Bridge 224 further comprises two-wire receiving system 234 for storage of bridge 224. Folding bridge part 228 comprises tip support 236 connectable to fixed platform 238 in a use position (illustrated with the substantially horizontal orientation). It will be understood that in a position of use, bridge 224 can be provided at an angle to the horizontal depending on the relative positions of fixed platform 238 and unit 204. In the illustrated embodiment the length of bridge 202 in a position of use is about 70 m. It will be understood that other lengths would also be possible in accordance with the invention.

(20) When folding bridge 202, locking system 122 is activated (FIG. 9A). Main winch 218 is activated. Foldable bridge part 228 rotates with folding mechanism 232 around connecting shaft 240 of folding mechanism 232 (FIG. 9B). From a substantial vertical direction (FIG. 9C) tugger winch 220 further rotates foldable bridge part 228 around connecting shaft 240 to main bridge part 226 (FIG. 9D) to bring bridge 204 in a storage position at an angle relative to the vertical of about 5-15 degrees.

(21) It will be understood that elements of the folding bridge 102 and 202 can be applied to telescopic access bridge 2, and vice versa. This may further increase the efficiency of providing access and regress to and from a unit.

(22) The present invention is by no means limited to the above described preferred embodiments thereof. The rights sought are defined by the following claims within the scope of which many modifications can be envisaged.