Abstract:
Disclosed is a mobile harbor capable of connecting a loading module with a propelling means to a ship anchored on the coast and transporting freights loaded from the loading module to a quay through a number of transport modules. The mobile harbor comprises a loading module that includes a connecting device capable of being securely docked to a ship, and at least one loading crane capable of loading or unloading container freights; and a transport module that includes a propelling device and a docking bridge capable of being connected to a quay, and at least one gantry crane transferring the freights stacked on a transport vehicle to the loading module or lading the transport vehicle with the freights on the transport module deck when being anchored to a quay.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims priority to foreign Patent Application KR 10 2008 0090655, filed on Sep. 16, 2008, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
       FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to a mobile harbor with a reciprocating shuttle, and more specifically, to a mobile harbor capable of connecting a loading module with a propelling means to a ship anchored on the coast and transporting freight loaded from the loading module to a quay through a number of transport modules. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    A competitive power of a product depends on a rapid production of the product, as well as a rapid movement of the product and a smooth supply to a consumer. Among transport means of the product, marine transport using a ship uses a less energy and has an inexpensive transport cost as compared to other transport means. Therefore, most international trade uses marine transport. 
         [0004]    Recently, ships used for marine transport such as container ships have tended to become larger. This increases the transport amount of the ship to secure economical efficiency. Accordingly, a need exists for a harbor including a mooring facility and a loading facility capable of docking a large ship. 
         [0005]    However, the harbors capable of docking a large container ship are rare in the inside and outside of the country. Also, enormous expense is required to construct such a harbor. A vast site is required to construct the harbor. In addition, a vast site and appurtenant facilities for shipping a large number of containers in the field are required. When considering the influence of a large harbor on surrounding environment, it is difficult to construct a new harbor. 
         [0006]    Also, since the shipping and loading of freight are concentrated only on a small number of large harbors, traffic jams occur in roads near the large harbor due to the increase in vehicles for shipping freight or transporting loaded freight. The increase in vehicles transporting heavy freight is a main cause that damages the road. Therefore, a country or a local autonomous entity should repair the damaged roads with an enormous expense. 
         [0007]    Currently, since the loading and the shipping of the container ship are performed only from one side of a ship docked to an inner wall of the harbor and only in a portion of a ship not in total length of the ship, the efficiency of the loading and the shipping is very low. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    Embodiments of the present invention advantageously provide a mobile harbor capable of shipping and loading freight in a state of anchoring a large ship on a sea away from a land without docking the ship to an inner wall within the harbor, thereby making it possible to rapidly ship or load freight. 
         [0009]    Also, embodiments of the present invention provide a mobile harbor that allows a large ship to be able to load and ship freight even in a small harbor not including a container-dedicated quay, thereby making it possible to distribute vehicles for transporting the freight to smooth physical distribution and to avoid cost and environmental destruction due to the construction of a new harbor. 
         [0010]    In addition, embodiments of the present invention provide a mobile harbor that continuously performs the loading and shipping of freight at the same time by a number of shuttles, thereby making it possible to reduce time required to load or ship freight. 
         [0011]    Further, embodiments of the present invention provide a mobile harbor that has a structure capable of using a canal passing through an inland, thereby making it possible to load containers or freight from a large ship and then directly transport them to the vicinity of demands. 
         [0012]    One embodiment of the mobile harbor comprises a loading module that includes a connecting device capable of being securely docked to a ship, and at least one loading crane capable of shipping and loading container freight; and a transport module that includes a propelling device and a docking bridge capable of being connected to a quay, and at least one gantry crane unloading the freight stacked on a transport vehicle or lading the transport vehicle with the freight on the deck when being anchored to a quay. 
         [0013]    In accordance with embodiments of the present invention, the loading module may be formed to be able to be docked corresponding to a shape of the transport module, thereby enabling a number of transport modules to be docked thereto at any time. 
         [0014]    In addition, the loading module may have a propelling device, and may further comprise: a control tower that performs operation and control of each device; and a buffer that may absorb the shock from collision by a wave when the transport module is docked thereto. 
         [0015]    In addition, the loading module may further comprise a stabilizer that is protruded in a transverse direction of the loading module for stability and may be attached/detached thereto/therefrom and foldably received therein. 
         [0016]    In addition, the loading module may further comprise a docking managing tower that includes a system automatically controlling a location of the transport module when the transport module is docked thereto to guide the docking of the transport module. 
         [0017]    In addition, the loading module may further comprise a posture control module mounted on a lower of a hull for maintaining the anchoring location against the ship. 
         [0018]    In addition, the connecting device may use a vacuum or a magnetic force in order to connect the loading module to the ship or the transport module. 
         [0019]    In addition, the connecting device may use a connecting member of a flexible material or an oil pressure cylinder in order to maintain a distance between the loading module and the ship so that they do not collide with each other. 
         [0020]    In addition, the transport module may include a propelling device. 
         [0021]    Further, the transport module may include a docking bridge that is provided in an end thereof in order to be able to form a slope and be secured into the quay to maintain anchoring when the transport module is docked to the quay. 
         [0022]    Preferably, when the transport module is docked to the quay, the transport vehicle embarks on the transport module so that the freight is loaded on the transport vehicle. 
         [0023]    The mobile harbor, according to embodiments of the present invention, has a construction that provides the following effects. 
         [0024]    The mobile harbor according to embodiments of the present invention includes a crane and a docking facility, and may rapidly load or ship freight from both sides of a ship anchored to an outer port. Shipping and loading of containers and freight from a quay to the mobile harbor or from the mobile harbor to the quay are performed after docking the mobile harbor to the vicinity of the quay. 
         [0025]    The mobile harbor may ship and load the containers even in a harbor not including a container-dedicated quay, and minimally occupies a docking location of the quay, thereby making it possible to simultaneously dock a number of transport modules. Therefore, the mobile harbor may process much more freight in a unit time as compared to an existing method. Also, the mobile harbor decentralizes vehicles for land transportation, thereby making it possible to prevent traffic jams occurring in the vicinity of a container ship-dedicated quay, efficiently and rapidly transport the freight, and prevent environmental destruction due to development of a new or large harbor. 
         [0026]    Meanwhile, when the transport module is designed to have a structure capable of using a canal passing through inland, it is possible to load container freight from a large ship and then directly transport them to the vicinity of a demanded location. Accordingly, it is possible to reduce physical distribution costs and conserve environment through energy saving, and reduction of CO 2  discharge. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0027]    These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will be more fully described in the following detailed description of preferred and other embodiments and examples, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. In the drawings: 
           [0028]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view showing a loading module according to one embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0029]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view showing a loading module according to another embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0030]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view showing a transport module according to one embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0031]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view showing a state that a ship, a loading module and a transport module are docked with each other according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; and 
           [0032]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view showing a state that a transport module is docked to a quay according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0033]    Specific features and benefits of the present invention will further be obvious by the following detailed description with reference to accompanying drawings. It should be noted that in the case where it is judged that a specific description for a known function with respect to the present invention and a configuration thereof may unnecessarily obscure the gist of the present invention, it will be omitted. 
         [0034]    The present invention provides a system capable of shipping and loading freight such as containers, which is a mobile harbor comprising a loading module  1  and a number of transport modules  2 . 
         [0035]      FIGS. 1 and 2  are perspective views showing a loading module according to an embodiment of the present invention, and  FIG. 4  is a perspective view showing a state that a ship, a loading module and a transport module are docked with each other according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
         [0036]    Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the loading module  1  according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention includes a loading crane  11 , a connecting device  12 , a buffer  13 , a control tower  14 , a docking managing tower  15 , a posture controller  16 , and a stabilizer  17 . 
         [0037]    The loading module  1  is formed in a structure capable of docking the ship and the transport module thereto, wherein one side of the loading module is formed with at least one stabilizer  17  in a ‘U’ shape in which at least one transport module  2  is accepted to facilitate the docking. 
         [0038]    The stabilizer  17  is a guide acting as a docking quay to be able to securely guide the transport module  2  when the transport module  2  is docked to the loading module  1 . Herein, the stabilizer  17  is configured to be able to be attached/detached to/from the loading module  1  or foldably received in the loading module  1  for facilitating movement of the loading module  1  or obtaining stability against waves. 
         [0039]    At least one loading crane  11  is installed on an upper plate of the loading module  1 , thereby making it possible to ship and load freight into the ship and the transport module  2 . 
         [0040]    Referring to  FIG. 4 , the connecting device  12 , which is a device maintaining the ship  3 , the transport module  2 , and the loading module  1  to be fixed each other when the ship  3  and the transport module  2  are docked to the loading module  1 , includes a number of connectors along a side of the loading module  1 . An absorption cup may be used as the connecting device  12 . The absorption cup allows the loading module  1  to be able to have a small-scale relative displacement in a state where the loading module  1  is connected to the ship  3  and/or the transport module  2 . The absorption cup may use a vacuum or a magnetic force in order to generate connecting force, and may use a flexible material such as rubber or an oil pressure cylinder, etc., in order to allow the small-scale relative displacement. 
         [0041]    Herein, the small-scale relative displacement means a spaced state where a distance is maintained between the ship  3 , the transport module  2 , and the loading module  1  so that they do not collide with each other at the time of occurrence of shaking due to a wave or movement thereof. 
         [0042]    The buffer  13 , which is an elastic protective guide provided in an end side of the stabilizer  17  of the loading module  1  guided when the transport module  2  is docked to the loading module  1 , is a protector that buffers impact due to collision by the wave when the transport module  2  is docked to the loading module  1 . 
         [0043]    The control tower  14  is installed on the upper plate of the loading module  1 , and is designed in a sufficiently high structure in order to operate the loading module  1 , ship/load the freight and secure a visual field for performing other functions. The control tower  14  may operate the loading module  1  as well as control a situation that the freight such as containers are shipped and loaded, in real time. The control tower  14  controls and manages most functions of the loading module  1  as follows: propulsion of the loading module  1 , adjustment of the loading crane  11  and shipping/loading of the freight, docking arrangement with regard to the ship, communication, etc. 
         [0044]    As shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , since guide rails are formed along a length direction of the loading module  1 , the loading crane  11  can move through the guide rails. And, the control tower  14  also may move through unillustrated rails. 
         [0045]    The docking managing tower  15  is a system that is installed on the upper plate of the loading module  1  and automatically controls a location of the transport module  2  when the transport module  2  is docked to the loading module  1 , thereby guiding the transport module  2  to be securely docked to a receptor of the loading module  1 . When the transport module  2  has arrived at a certain location with regard to the loading module  1 , the docking managing tower  15  performs operation and control of the transport module  2  to guide the loading module  1  and the transport module  2  to be harmonically docked depending on the waves or surrounding circumstances. 
         [0046]    The posture controller  16  is a stabilizing device that is installed on a lower of a hull of the loading module  1  and has a rectangular plate shape with a narrow width along a length direction of the hull in order to maintain an anchoring location against the ship, as well as a parallel state of the hull of the loading module  1 . The posture controller  16  includes a posture implementing system such as gyroscope in order to maintain a stable posture even in the presence of strong waves. 
         [0047]    Also, the loading module may further comprise a propelling means (not shown) in order to move or connect between the quay and the ship. 
         [0048]    To this end, the loading module may also comprise a propeller providing a propelling force in each direction. 
         [0049]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view showing a transport module according to one embodiment of the present invention, and  FIG. 5  is a perspective view showing a state that a transport module is docked to a quay according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
         [0050]    Referring to  FIG. 3 , the transport module  2  according to the present invention comprises a gantry crane  21 , a docking bridge  22 , and a propelling device  23 . 
         [0051]    The transport module  2  is constituted by a number of shuttles formed in a uniform size to correspond to the receptor of the loading module  1 . Also, the transport module  2  has a miniaturized and simplified structure to facilitate the docking to the quay  4  with a relatively low water level. 
         [0052]    The gantry crane  21 , which is at least one relatively miniaturized crane installed on an upper plate of the transport module  2 , may move in a length direction of the transport module  2 , and may ship the containers in multi-layer or directly ship or load the freight  5  onto a trailer or a train when the transport module  2  is docked to the quay to ship and load the freight  5 . 
         [0053]    The gantry crane  21  may be constituted by a plurality of miniaturized cranes mounted on the upper plate of the transport module  2  in a rows or columns. This reduces weight and size of the gantry crane  21  and enables loading of many trailers in the plurality of rows, thereby making it possible to simultaneously perform a lot of loading works. 
         [0054]    Referring to  FIG. 5 , the docking bridge  22 , which is a receptive temporary bridge capable of being connected to the quay  4 , is a bridge that is installed on an upper end of one side of the transport module  2 . The docking bridge  22  is received therein when the transport module  2  is navigated, and is protruded to form a slope, is secured into the quay  4  to maintain anchoring, and passes the trailer and the train to the upper plate of the transport module  2  when the transport module  2  is docked to the quay  4 . 
         [0055]    The propelling device  23  is a transport device that is installed on a lower surface of the transport module  2  and moves and/or connects between the loading module  1  and the quay  4 . 
         [0056]    The propelling device  23  may be provided as a propeller providing a propelling force in each direction. Also, a propelling device such as a hovercraft or hydrofoil may be used in order to be able to rapidly transport the freight and move even in a harbor or a canal with a shallow water level. 
         [0057]    The embodiment in which the concept of the mobile harbor is applied will be described with reference to accompanying drawings. All of the structures of the mobile harbor include items shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the items being omitted in other drawings. 
         [0058]    A form that the transport module  2  and the ship  3  are anchored to the loading module  1  in the ‘U’ shape according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be schematically shown in  FIG. 4 . 
         [0059]    The loading module  1  with the propelling means approaches toward the ship  3  anchored on a sea area in the vicinity of the harbor and the quay  4  with a relatively low water level to be connected and fixed to the ship  3  by the connecting device  12 . 
         [0060]    The transport module  2  anchored to the quay  4  is guided by the docking managing tower  15  and connected to the receptor of the loading module  1 . 
         [0061]    In the case where the transport module  2  is shaken due to a changing factor such as a wave when the transport module  2  is docked to the loading module  1 , the shock from collision between the transport module  2  and the loading module  1  is absorbed by the buffer  13  of the loading module  1 . 
         [0062]    Works for loading or shipping the freight  5  on the ship  3  onto the connected transport module  2  are performed by the loading crane  11 . 
         [0063]    The transport module  2  finishing the loading or shipping works is returned to the quay  4 . At this time, at least one transport module  2  waits in the loading module  1  to allow the loading and shipping works to be continued, thereby rapidly performing the works. 
         [0064]    Herein, the freight  5  may be stacked in multi-layer or move within the transport module  2  by the gantry crane  21  installed on the transport module  2 . 
         [0065]    As shown in  FIG. 5 , the transport module  2  docked to the quay  4  is connected and seated to the quay  4  by the protruded docking bridge  22  and the trailer and the train enters into the transport module  2 , thereby directly shipping or loading the freight  5  by the gantry crane  21 . 
         [0066]    At this time, the shipping and loading amount of the freight  5  may be increased depending on an area of the transport module  2  docked to the quay  4  or the number of the adjacent cranes, and the transport speed and the transport amount of the freight  5  is largely increased due to a number of transport modules  2 . 
         [0067]    Also, since the freight  5  is directly shipped and loaded to the trailer within the transport module  2 , the present invention advantageously reduces congestion in the quay and may be applied even in a quay with a small loading space. 
         [0068]    Although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to its presently preferred embodiment, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various modifications and equivalents can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention, as set forth in the appended claims. 
         [0069]    Also, the substances of each constituent explained in the specification can be easily selected and processed by those skilled in the art from the well-known various substances. Furthermore, those skilled in the art can change the order to methodic steps explained in the specification according to environments of processes or equipments. Thus, it is intended that the present invention covers the modifications and variations of this invention provided they come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.