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e-rover - automatic coupling system for RTGs

Rubber-tyred gantry cranes (RTGs) are mobile container cranes used in ports. They can switch between the container aisles. As a rule, these RTGs are fuelled with diesel. However, to save energy costs and protect the environment, there has been a trend in recent years towards electrically powered vehicles that are coupled to an energy supply system as soon as they are in a lane.
igus has developed the e-rover system to enable automatic coupling to and de-coupling from the energy chain system and to ensure safe energy supply and data transmission - also via fibre optic cables. For fast coupling to the RTG, the system uses a telescoping arm that can be extended and retracted, ensuring uninterrupted data transfer. The coupling process can be completed in around one minute and there are no restrictions on the travelling speed of the RTG.
The system works via a telescopic arm on the RTG, which can be extended and retracted. This has two advantages: Firstly, it enables automatic coupling and the energy chain, in which all media can be guided simultaneously, is pulled along by the RTG. This ensures the supply of energy and data. Secondly, horizontal and vertical unevenness and offsets in the travel can be compensated. The system is suitable for long travels - 500 metres and more are possible, depending on customer requirements in the container port.
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Advantages of the e-rover

  • Secure and fast data transmission, e.g. with fibre optic cables
  • Saves operating costs of RTGs. The savings potential is comparable with conventional systems.
  • Protects the environment
  • Low maintenance, no wear-resistant parts that need to be replaced at specified intervals
  • Travels of 500m or more possible

Design of the e-rover coupling system

The e-rover basically consists of three parts:
  • A lifting unit with telescopic arm, coupling unit and connector on the RTG
  • A special floating moving end with barbs for mechanical attachment of the coupling and the mating connector
  • An e-rover station with moving end carriage (station carriage) for coupling and uncoupling the RTG
e-rover

Coupling

  • RTG drives into the e-rover station
  • Crane operator gives the coupling signal
  • Telescopic arm is extended and automatically finds the distance to the guide trough and the correct height to the lower edge of the trough
  • The signal is then automatically sent to the station carriage to position the floating moving end at the height of the telescopic arm
  • The coupling is now mechanically attached to the floating moving end and centred
  • A pilot contact recognises the successful connection and releases the power supply for the RTG
  • The crane operator receives a signal indicating successful docking
  • Telescope moves up to travelling position and lifts the floating moving end with it

Decoupling

  • RTG drives into the e-rover station
  • Crane operator gives the decoupling signal
  • Telescope is aligned, station carriage moves into position, telescopic arm moves down and hooks the floating moving end back into the station carriage
  • It is electrically disconnected and mechanically unlocked
  • Station carriage returns to the parking position with the floating moving end 
  • Telescopic arm is retracted 
  • In the driver's cabin, a signal indicates the successful uncoupling of the vehicle


The terms "Apiro", "AutoChain", "CFRIP", "chainflex", "chainge", "chains for cranes", "ConProtect", "cradle-chain", "CTD", "drygear", "drylin", "dryspin", "dry-tech", "dryway", "easy chain", "e-chain", "e-chain systems", "e-ketten", "e-kettensysteme", "e-loop", "energy chain", "energy chain systems", "enjoyneering", "e-skin", "e-spool", "fixflex", "flizz", "i.Cee", "ibow", "igear", "iglidur", "igubal", "igumid", "igus", "igus improves what moves", "igus:bike", "igusGO", "igutex", "iguverse", "iguversum", "kineKIT", "kopla", "manus", "motion plastics", "motion polymers", "motionary", "plastics for longer life", "print2mold", "Rawbot", "RBTX", "readycable", "readychain", "ReBeL", "ReCyycle", "reguse", "robolink", "Rohbot", "savfe", "speedigus", "superwise", "take the dryway", "tribofilament", "triflex", "twisterchain", "when it moves, igus improves", "xirodur", "xiros" and "yes" are legally protected trademarks of the igus® GmbH/ Cologne in the Federal Republic of Germany and where applicable in some foreign countries. This is a non-exhaustive list of trademarks (e.g. pending trademark applications or registered trademarks) of igus GmbH or affiliated companies of igus in Germany, the European Union, the USA and/or other countries or jurisdictions.

igus® GmbH points out that it does not sell any products of the companies Allen Bradley, B&R, Baumüller, Beckhoff, Lahr, Control Techniques, Danaher Motion, ELAU, FAGOR, FANUC, Festo, Heidenhain, Jetter, Lenze, LinMot, LTi DRiVES, Mitsubishi, NUM,Parker, Bosch Rexroth, SEW, Siemens, Stöber and all other drive manufacturers mention on this website. The products offered by igus® are those of igus® GmbH