Device and method for supplying a moving body, in particular a ship, with on-shore power

Abstract

A device and a method for powering a berthed ship. The powering device includes an onboard connector, a shuttle ( 40 ), a traction element ( 41 ) for the shuttle, which includes elements for engaging with a ground connector ( 30 ) matching the onboard connector, the traction element being provided for pulling the shuttle and the ground connector when they are engaged such that the ground connector is in electrical continuity with the onboard connector. The device can be used for powering a ship without running the onboard generators thereof. For methane tankers in particular, the device can be used for supplying electricity to the grid by burning the gas vapors. The device can be automated, thereby avoiding fatigue and electrical risks.

1 . A device ( 1 ) for providing a moving body, in particular a ship ( 6 ), with an on-shore power supply, characterized in that it comprises an on-board connector ( 17 ), a shuttle ( 40 ), haulage means ( 41 ,  42 ) for the shuttle, the shuttle comprising means to engage with an on-shore connector ( 30 ,  130 ) mating with the said on-board connector, the haulage means being designed to haul the said shuttle and the said on-shore connector when they are engaged, so that the said on-shore connector is brought into electric continuity with the said on-board connector. 
     
     
         2 . The device according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the haulage means comprise a chain ( 41 ) and a winch ( 42 ), a first end of the said chain being connected at least indirectly to the said shuttle, the second end of the said chain being free. 
     
     
         3 . The device according to  claim 1 , characterized in that it comprises means ( 10 ) for maintaining the on-board connector substantially rigid relative to the hull of the ship. 
     
     
         4 . The device according to  claim 3 , characterized in that the on-board connector ( 17 ) is carried by a jib ( 10 ), the said jib being designed to be mobile between a retracted position in which the on-board connector is sheltered inside a hull ( 11 ) of the ship, and a deployed position in which the on-board connector is distanced away outside the hull. 
     
     
         5 . The device according to  claim 4 , characterized in that the jib comprises a nacelle ( 15 ), the on-board connector and the winch being housed inside the said nacelle, and the chain being arranged coiled inside a compartment ( 87 ) of the said nacelle. 
     
     
         6 . The device according to  claim 4 , characterized in that the jib comprises a substantially horizontal beam ( 14 ) arranged underneath a deck of the ship, and rack means ( 22 ) to move the said beam substantially horizontally. 
     
     
         7 . The device according to  claim 4 , characterized in that a distal end of the jib comprises a panel ( 13 ) matching an opening ( 12 ) in the hull ( 11 ) so that, in the retracted position, the said panel comes to close the said opening and ensure the continuity of the said hull. 
     
     
         8 . The device according to  claim 4 , characterized in that the jib is designed to be deployed substantially transverse to the ship. 
     
     
         9 . The device according to  claim 4 , characterized in that the jib is provided so that it is deployed substantially longitudinally to the ship, preferably at the stern of the said ship. 
     
     
         10 . The device according to  claim 4 , characterized in that it comprises at least one cable ( 18 ) to connect electrically the on-board connector ( 17 ) with on-board electrical equipment, and a cable tray ( 18 ) extending through decks ( 8 ) below the jib and leading, via a lower end, preferably into the engine room ( 9 ), the said cable and the said tray being arranged so that the cable, beyond the said lower end, forms a loop ( 19 ) preferably a hanging loop. 
     
     
         11 . The device according to  claim 1  characterized in that the connectors ( 17 ;  30 ,  130 ) each comprise several connection elements ( 16 ,  32 ) in identical number distributed about a respective axis (X 17 , X 30 ), and respective orienting means ( 51 ,  85 ) designed to cooperate with the shuttle ( 40 ) so that at the time of connection each element ( 32 ) of the on-shore connector ( 30 ,  130 ) is aligned with a corresponding element ( 16 ) of the on-board connector ( 17 ). 
     
     
         12 . The device according to  claim 11 , characterized in that the connectors ( 17 ;  30 ,  130 ) each comprise three connection elements ( 16 ,  32 ), the shuttle ( 40 ) having a triangular cross-section and the orienting means ( 51 ,  85 ) of at least one of the connectors ( 30 ,  130 ;  17 ) comprising a set of three rollers ( 67 ) provided to engage with the triangular section of the said shuttle ( 40 ), so that the said connector and the said shuttle are oriented relative to one another at a pitch of 120 degrees about the respective axis (X 30 , X 17 ). 
     
     
         13 . The device according to  claim 1 , characterized in that one end of the shuttle ( 40 ) comprises a hook provided to engage with mating hooking means ( 53 ) of the on-shore connector ( 30 ). 
     
     
         14 . The device according to  claim 1 , characterized in that it comprises a container ( 25 ) and a chimney ( 26 ) carried by the said container ( 25 ), the on-shore connector ( 30 ) being housed in the chimney ( 26 ), the container ( 25 ) acting as reserve for cable ( 33 ) electrically connected to the on-shore connector ( 30 ), each cable ( 33 ) being provided to extend through the chimney ( 26 ) as and when the on-shore connector is hauled towards the on-board connector ( 17 ). 
     
     
         15 . The device according to  claim 14 , characterized in that the chimney ( 26 ) is mounted mobile in translation relative to the said container. 
     
     
         16 . The device according to  claim 14 , characterized in that it further comprises a floating pontoon on which the container ( 25 ) is installed, each cable ( 33 ) being connected flexibly to an on-shore electric network, the said floating pontoon preferably being motorized. 
     
     
         17 . The device according to  claim 1 , characterized in that it comprises floating means ( 110 ) for the on-shore connector ( 130 ) and preferably propelling means ( 111 ). 
     
     
         18 . The device according to  claim 17 , characterized in that it comprises ballast means ( 116 ) adapted to sink the on-shore connector when it is not connected with an on-board connector. 
     
     
         19 . The device according to  claim 17  characterized in that it comprises means ( 112 ,  114 ) to allow axial sliding of the floating means relative to the connection means, so that the floating means do not interfere mechanically with an on-board part ( 2 ) of the device ( 1 ) when the connectors are connected together. 
     
     
         20 . The device according to  claim 17 , characterized in that it comprises means ( 120 ) for dry docking and launching the connector ( 130 ) the means ( 120 ) allowing the said connector to be stored above a quayside ( 4 ), the said means preferably comprising a jib ( 121 ) mobile about a vertical axis (X 121 ) and a shuttle ( 140 ) designed to engage with engaging means ( 53 ) of the said connector ( 130 ). 
     
     
         21 . A method for providing a moving body, in particular a ship ( 6 ), with an on-shore power supply, characterized in that an on-board connector ( 17 ) is maintained substantially rigid relative to a hull of the said ship, a shuttle ( 40 ) is engaged with an on-shore connector ( 30 ), then said shuttle and said on-shore connector are hauled until the said on-shore connector is in electric continuity with the said on-board connector. 
     
     
         22 . The method according to  claim 21 , characterized in that firstly said shuttle is automatically oriented relative to the on-shore connector, then said shuttle is oriented automatically relative to the on-board connector, before the said on-shore connector is placed in electric continuity with the said on-board connector.