Patent Application
20060243693
The invention relates to a mobile multifunctional platform for the transport and contact-free load inspection of containers, in accordance with the preamble of the first claim.
The platform is suitable for the transport and contact-free load inspection control of containers, preferably of containers that are loaded and unloaded using container cranes. This is particularly the case in harbors in which containers are loaded into and unloaded from ships. The mobile multifunctional platform can also be used in other locations where containers are trans-shipped, for example in trans-shipping locations where containers are unloaded from railcars onto trucks, transported, and inspected, or also at airports from which containers are transported. The platform is also suitable in connection with devices for the installation and removal of semi-automatic twistlocks, such as those described in EP 0 699 164 B1.
Devices for transilluminating piece goods are known and generally function on the basis of X-rays or gamma rays. They are used to transilluminate the luggage of passengers in suitable manner, and to determine whether or not hazardous objects are present in the transport container.
Transillumination procedures and devices for transilluminating larger transport receptacles such as containers are also known. These are larger units from which radiation is sent through a container or a transport receptacle, in order to check whether or not objects and devices for which transport is not planned are located in the container. This is particularly the case at locations where containers or larger transport receptacles are part of border-crossing traffic, particularly containers that are being transported to other countries on trucks, planes or ships. A problem with such devices, which are located on the ground, is that a transport means with the container must pass through the device, and this requires that a corresponding shield must be present for the driver or persons located in the vicinity. In particular, a separate reloading or transport process is required, in order to be able to transilluminate a corresponding container. Such methods cannot be used, in particular, if a large number of containers is supposed to be loaded and unloaded quickly, since a long standing time for containers or a long docking time for ships in harbors is disadvantageous.
A device is known from U.S. Pat. No. 5,638,420, with which containers are transilluminated from above, in that a vehicle having a cabin passes over the container and performs the transillumination.
A device for checking the content of closed load carriers, particularly containers, is evident from DE 198 26 560 A1, using X-rays; this device is used to transilluminate the container from the side, by means of a transillumination device disposed on a vehicle. Both devices have the disadvantage that only a single container can be transilluminated, and only after it has been set down by the crane, and that a special device that must pass over the container is required for this.
Further developments, such as those that were presented in “A Revolution in Security Inspection Technology,” Dr. Franke, Conference, Rotterdam, Feb. 11, 2003, provide for disposing transillumination devices on the crane system or on a platform on the crane system, in such a manner that containers pass through these facilities, and in this manner, transillumination of the piece goods to be transported takes place. A disadvantage of this system, however, is that existing crane systems cannot be retrofitted with this equipment in every case, since the original crane construction is designed only for very specific loads.
It is therefore the task of the invention to develop a device with which contact-free load inspection of containers is possible, without the occurrence of the stated disadvantages of the state of the art.
This task is accomplished by means of a device according to the characteristics of the first claim.
Dependent claims reproduce advantageous embodiments of the invention.
The solution according to the invention provides for a self-propelled mobile multifunctional platform for the transport and transillumination of containers, which is characterized in that a crane device for lifting the containers, a set-down possibility for containers, as well as a transillumination device with shielding are present on it, whereby the mobile platform has a displacement possibility. Street driving wheels, for example with rubber tires, but also rail-guided wheels can be disposed as the displacement possibility.
A pivot crane can be used as the crane device of the mobile platform, to which crane spreaders are attached, whereby the pivot arms are pivoted by way of hydraulic cylinders, in such a way that the containers can be set down on the platform and removed from it and set down next to the platform.
However, instead of the pivot crane, it is also possible to dispose a portal crane on the platform, which lifts the containers onto the platform and sets them down onto the set-down possibility of the platform.
It is advantageous if the mobile platform has supports, so that it can be used to pass over containers. In order to make lifting of the containers by means of a portal crane possible, it is advantageous in the mobile platform has an opening for passing containers through.
The self-propelled platform is equipped with appropriate wheel sets, depending on the loads.
In addition to wheels for displacement, the mobile platform can be supported with set-down plates, with which a stable position is achieved at any time.
Since it is advantageous to use the mobile platform to transilluminate containers that are transported using container crane systems, the working height of the platform must be less than the height of the crossbeam of the container bridge under which it must pass. In order to be able to pass over container transport vehicles with their containers, the clear height below the platform must be greater than the container vehicles over which it must pass. It is furthermore advantageous to dispose a conveyor belt on the platform, for horizontal transport of the containers.
Furthermore, it is advantageous to dispose collision monitoring devices on the mobile platform.
It is furthermore advantageous to couple the container bridge and the platform with one another in terms of control technology. The function of the platform is provided in such a manner that containers that are being unloaded from ships by means of a container crane, for example, and must be transilluminated, are set down onto the platform by the container crane, at the set-down position for containers, and in this set-down position, the transillumination device passes over them and transilluminates them on the platform. If the content of a container is unproblematic, the container is picked up by the crane device of the platform, and passed on for further transport. If the container must be sorted out due to possible problems, it is set down at a suitable location by the crane device and the transport device, in order to check the contents, or the non-released container is transported back onto the container ship. In the same manner, containers can also be transported from the pier to the container ship, by way of the platform/transillumination.
In the following, the invention will be explained in greater detail using an exemplary embodiment and seven figures. The figures show:
As
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 103 13 248.1 | Mar 2003 | DE | national |
| 203 09 047.0 | Mar 2003 | DE | national |
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind | 371c Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/DE04/00017 | 1/10/2004 | WO | 10/26/2005 |
