Device at Ro-Ro vessel

• US 7,044,247 B2
• Filed: 06/20/2001
• Issued: 05/16/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 06/22/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: TTS Ships Equipment AB (Nekkar ASA)
• Original Assignee: TTS Ships Equipment AB (Nekkar ASA)
• Inventors: Johansson, Göran, Ramne, Bengt
• Primary Examiner(s): Ellis, Christopher
• Assistant Examiner(s): KLEBE, GERALD B
• Application Number:
  US10/297,417
• Publication Number:
  US 20040112660A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,791 Days
• Field of Search: 180/167, 180/168, 180/169, 180/170, 701/96, 701/23, 701/117, 701/119, 340/435, 340/436, 340/902, 340/903, 340/904, 340/907, 340/988, 414/139.4, 414/139.9, 4141401-1405, 414/143.2
• US Class Current: 180/169
• CPC Class Codes: B63B 27/19 Other loading or unloading equipment involving an intermittent action, not provided in groups B63B27/04 - B63B27/18
• CPC Class Codes: B63B 35/54 Ferries propulsion of chain ferries B63H
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/0236 in combination with a laser lasers per se H01S
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/0265 using buried wires
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/0278 using satellite positioning signals, e.g. GPS

Abstract

The present invention relates to an arrangement for a Ro—Ro vessel, which exhibits a number of cargo-receiving spaces provided with a driving surface internally in the vessel, and with a ramp extending between one such space and a quay, along which ramp driverless cargo handling vehicles (7), known as AGV vehicles, are capable of being driven between designated parking places for the purpose of transporting cargo between the quay and the aforementioned cargo-receiving space of the vessel. Means (9) are provided for causing the cargo handling vehicles (7) to be guided between the aforementioned spaces and the quay and into the intended train of vehicles in the designated location in a line (II) and without connecting the cargo handling vehicles (7) to one another.

Claims

1. Arrangement for a Ro—

Ro vessel, comprising

a plurality of cargo-receiving spaces provided with a driving surface internally in the vessel,

a plurality of cargo handling vehicles

a ramp extending between one such space and a quay, along which ramp the driverless cargo handling vehicles, are capable of being driven between designated parking places for the purpose of transporting cargo between the quay and the cargo-receiving spaces of the vessel,

at least one sensor,

a laser guidance unit for the cargo handling vehicles to be guided between the spaces and the quay and into an intended train of vehicles in a designated location in the train and without connecting the cargo handling vehicles to one another, and

an external terminal control system for controlling the cargo handling vehicles.

2. Arrangement in accordance with Patent claim 1, further comprising an optical guidance unit adapted to guide the cargo handling vehicles.

3. Arrangement in accordance with Patent claim 1, further comprising a cable guidance system adapted to guide the cargo handling vehicles.

4. Arrangement in accordance with claim 1, further comprising position sensors positioned between the vehicles and a load carrier wherein the position sensors are adapted for determining the relative positions of the vehicle and the load carrier.

5. Arrangement in accordance with claim 1, further comprising an obstruction sensor, arranged to sense obstructions in the intended route of the vehicles, positioned at the front of the vehicles.

6. Arrangement in accordance with claim 1, wherein each vehicle comprises a unit, adapted to receive data from the vehicle that is first in the train of vehicles concerning the speed and distance of the vehicles.

7. Arrangement in accordance with claim 6, further comprising position sensors positioned between the vehicles and a load carrier wherein the position sensors adapted for determining the relative positions of the vehicle and the load carrier.

8. Arrangement in accordance with claim 1, wherein the laser guidance unit is arranged to act transverse to the intended direction of travel of the vehicles.

9. Arrangement in accordance with claim 8, wherein the laser guidance unit acts transverse to the direction of travel of the cargo handling vehicle and is adapted to act against the deck of the vessel, against the bulkhead of the vessel, against the loading ramp of the vessel, and/or against guide rails.

10. Arrangement in accordance with claim 8, wherein each vehicle comprises a unit, adapted to receive data from the vehicle that is first in the train of vehicles concerning the speed and distance of the vehicles.

11. Arrangement in accordance with claim 8, further comprising position sensors positioned between the vehicles and a load carrier wherein the position sensors are adapted for determining the relative positions of the vehicle and the load carrier.

12. Arrangement in accordance with claim 8, further comprising a sensor, arranged to sense obstructions in the intended route of the vehicles, positioned at the front of the vehicles.

13. Arrangement in accordance with Patent claim 8, wherein each vehicle comprises a unit by which the speed of the vehicles is determined, and

wherein data with respect to the lateral position of the vehicle and data with respect to the speed of the vehicles is utilized to determine the relative position of the vehicles.

14. Arrangement in accordance with claim 13, wherein each vehicle comprises a unit, adapted to receive data from the vehicle that is first in the train of vehicles concerning the speed and distance of the vehicles.

15. Arrangement in accordance with claim 13, further comprising position sensors positioned between the vehicles and a load carrier wherein the position sensors are adapted for determining the relative positions of the vehicle and the load carrier.

16. Arrangement in accordance with claim 13, further comprising a sensor, arranged to sense obstructions in the intended route of the vehicles, positioned at the front of the vehicles.

17. Arrangement in accordance with claim 13, wherein each vehicle comprises a unit, adapted to receive data from the vehicle that is first in the train of vehicles concerning the speed and distance of the vehicles, wherein the position sensors are adapted for determining the relative positions of the vehicles and the load carrier.

18. Arrangement in accordance with claim 17, further comprising an optical guidance unit, and/or a cable guidance system.

19. Arrangement in accordance with claim 14, further comprising position sensors positioned between the vehicles and a load carrier wherein the position sensors are adapted for determining the relative positions of the vehicle and the load carrier.

20. Arrangement in accordance with claim 19, further comprising an obstruction sensor, arranged to sense obstructions in the intended route of the vehicles, positioned at the front of the vehicles.