Method for loading and unloading a barge and an equipment for connecting a pusher to a barge

Abstract

A method for loading and unloading a barge ( 40 ), and a mechanism for coupling a pusher ( 30 ) with a barge by means of coupling units ( 10 ) provided on either side of the pusher ( 30 ). To allow loading and unloading of the barge ( 40 ), the pusher is coupled with the barge by means of slides ( 34 ) and vertical guides ( 33 ) comprised in the coupling mechanism, which allow the height position of the barge to change freely in relation to the pusher. After completion of the loading or unloading process, the pushpins ( 11 ) of the coupling units ( 10 ) of the pusher are locked in coupling sockets ( 25 ) or holes in the coupling plates ( 32 ) of the barge.

1 . A method for loading and unloading a barge ( 40 ), according to the method, when the barge is being loaded, the pushpins ( 11 ) of the coupling devices ( 10 ) of a pushing tug or pusher ( 30 ) are inserted into coupling sockets ( 25 ) or holes in the coupling plates ( 32 ) of the barge at a height corresponding to the current height position of the barge relative to the pusher, characterized in that 
 the pusher ( 30 ) is coupled with the barge ( 40 ) by means of slides ( 34 ) and vertical guides ( 33 ) comprised in a coupling mechanism to keep the vessels coupled together during loading and unloading,    the height position of the barge ( 40 ) is allowed to change freely in relation to the pusher ( 30 ), and that    after completion of the loading or unloading process, the pushpins ( 11 ) of the coupling units ( 10 ) of the pusher ( 30 ) are locked in coupling sockets ( 25 ) or holes in the coupling plates ( 32 ) of the barge ( 40 ).    
   
   
       2 . A mechanism for coupling a pushing tug or pusher ( 30 ) with a barge ( 40 ) during the loading and unloading of the latter, in which situation the draft of the barge is changing, characterized in that 
 the coupling mechanism between the barge ( 40 ) and the pusher ( 30 ) comprises slides ( 34 ) included in coupling units ( 10 ) on either side of the pusher, and that    the coupling plate ( 32 ) structures of the barge ( 40 ) comprise vertical guides ( 33 ).    
   
   
       3 . A mechanism as claimed in  claim 2 , characterized in that 
 the slide of the coupling unit ( 10 ) of the pusher ( 30 ) is included in the pushpin ( 11 ) structure, preferably placed around the pushpin,    the slide ( 34 ) actuator comprises a hollow shaft ( 35 ) surrounding the pushpin ( 11 ),    the vertical guide ( 33 ) in the coupling plate ( 32 ) of the barge ( 40 ) is in alignment with the coupling sockets ( 25 ).    
   
   
       4 - 6 . (canceled)  
   
   
       7 . A mechanism as claimed in  claim 2 , characterized in that the slide ( 34 ) in the coupling unit ( 10 ) is connected to its actuator, such as a hollow shaft ( 35 ), via a ball and socket joint ( 36 ) that allows the slide to turn and rotate freely depending on how the barge ( 40 ) is moving in relation to the pusher ( 30 ).  
   
   
       8 . A mechanism as claimed in  claim 3 , characterized in that the slide ( 34 ) in the coupling unit ( 10 ) is connected to its actuator, such as a hollow shaft ( 35 ), via a ball and socket joint ( 36 ) that allows the slide to turn and rotate freely depending on how the barge ( 40 ) is moving in relation to the pusher ( 30 ).  
   
   
       9 . A mechanism as claimed in  claim 2 , characterized in that the slide ( 34 ) actuator and/or the pushpin ( 11 ) of the coupling unit ( 10 ) are/is connected to a hydraulic circuit ( 52 ) of the mechanism that comprises a hydraulic lock ( 43 ) for hydraulically locking the slide ( 34 ) actuator and/or the pushpin in a locked position.  
   
   
       10 . A mechanism as claimed in  claim 3 , characterized in that the slide ( 34 ) actuator and/or the pushpin ( 11 ) of the coupling unit ( 10 ) are/is connected to a hydraulic circuit ( 52 ) of the mechanism that comprises a hydraulic lock ( 43 ) for hydraulically locking the slide ( 34 ) actuator and/or the pushpin in a locked position.  
   
   
       11 . A mechanism as claimed in  claim 7 , characterized in that the slide ( 34 ) actuator and/or the pushpin ( 11 ) of the coupling unit ( 10 ) are/is connected to a hydraulic circuit ( 52 ) of the mechanism that comprises a hydraulic lock ( 43 ) for hydraulically locking the slide ( 34 ) actuator and/or the pushpin in a locked position.  
   
   
       12 . A mechanism as claimed in  claim 8 , characterized in that the slide ( 34 ) actuator and/or the pushpin ( 11 ) of the coupling unit ( 10 ) are/is connected to a hydraulic circuit ( 52 ) of the mechanism that comprises a hydraulic lock ( 43 ) for hydraulically locking the slide ( 34 ) actuator and/or the pushpin in a locked position.  
   
   
       13 . A mechanism as claimed in  claim 2 , characterized in that the coupling unit ( 10 ) comprises a pneumatic cylinder ( 26 ) included in the pushpin ( 11 ) structure, preferably placed inside the pushpin, for accomplishing pneumatic spring action of the pushpin during the coupling process.  
   
   
       14 . A mechanism as claimed in  claim 3 , characterized in that the coupling unit ( 10 ) comprises a pneumatic cylinder ( 26 ) included in the pushpin ( 11 ) structure, preferably placed inside the pushpin, for accomplishing pneumatic spring action of the pushpin during the coupling process.  
   
   
       15 . A mechanism as claimed in  claim 7 , characterized in that the coupling unit ( 10 ) comprises a pneumatic cylinder ( 26 ) included in the pushpin ( 11 ) structure, preferably placed inside the pushpin, for accomplishing pneumatic spring action of the pushpin during the coupling process.  
   
   
       16 . A mechanism as claimed in  claim 8 , characterized in that the coupling unit ( 10 ) comprises a pneumatic cylinder ( 26 ) included in the pushpin ( 11 ) structure, preferably placed inside the pushpin, for accomplishing pneumatic spring action of the pushpin during the coupling process.  
   
   
       17 . A mechanism as claimed in  claim 9 , characterized in that the coupling unit ( 10 ) comprises a pneumatic cylinder ( 26 ) included in the pushpin ( 11 ) structure, preferably placed inside the pushpin, for accomplishing pneumatic spring action of the pushpin during the coupling process.  
   
   
       18 . A mechanism as claimed in  claim 10 , characterized in that the coupling unit ( 10 ) comprises a pneumatic cylinder ( 26 ) included in the pushpin ( 11 ) structure, preferably placed inside the pushpin, for accomplishing pneumatic spring action of the pushpin during the coupling process.  
   
   
       19 . A mechanism as claimed in  claim 11 , characterized in that the coupling unit ( 10 ) comprises a pneumatic cylinder ( 26 ) included in the pushpin ( 11 ) structure, preferably placed inside the pushpin, for accomplishing pneumatic spring action of the pushpin during the coupling process.  
   
   
       20 . A mechanism as claimed in  claim 12 , characterized in that the coupling unit ( 10 ) comprises a pneumatic cylinder ( 26 ) included in the pushpin ( 11 ) structure, preferably placed inside the pushpin, for accomplishing pneumatic spring action of the pushpin during the coupling process.