e-chain® Cable Carriers for RTG Cranes (Rubber Tired Gantry Cranes)

e-rover - automatic clutch system for RTGs

The e-chain® e-rover system supplies mobile container bridges via an extendible telescopic arm. With the e-rover, igus® has further developed a system that quickly and automatically couples rubber-tired gantry cranes with an energy chain system. A telescopic arm connects the energy-supplying chain, which is guided through a trough, with the RTG. This ensures a reliable energy supply and good data transmission, via Fibre optic cables. Rubber-tired gantry cranes (RTGs) are mobile container bridges. You can switch between the container aisles. These RTGs are generally powered by diesel. To reduce energy costs and be kinder on the environment, in recent years developers have focused on electrically operated vehicles that can be coupled to an energy supply system once they are in a lane.

Benefits:

Flexible choice of data and control cables, including fibre optic cables for data transfer
Two RTGs can be used in a container aisle with one trough system. With three or four RTGs per aisle, a second trough is required
Reduces RTG operating costs. The potential savings are in comparison to conventional systems
Protects the environment
Dirt-repellent
Low maintenance costs, no wear-resistant parts that have to be replaced at specified intervals
Travelling distances of up to 500 m and more possible

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Structure of the e-rover clutch system

The e-rover basically consists of three parts:

A lifting unit with telescopic arm, coupling unit and plug on the RTG
Special floating driver with barbed hook for mechanical attachment of the coupling and the mating plug
e-rover station with trolley (station car) for coupling and disconnecting the RTG

Coupling

RTG drives into the e-rover station
Crane operator gives the signal for coupling
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 wagon 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 that the docking was successful
The telescope moves up to the travelling position and lifts the floating moving end with it

Decoupling

RTG drives into the e-rover station
Crane operator gives the signal to uncouple
Telescope is aligned, station wagon moves into position, telescopic arm moves down and hooks the floating moving end back into the station wagon
It is uncoupled electrically and unlocked mechanically
Station wagon moves back into the parking position with the floating moving end
Telescopic arm is retracted
The signal appears in the driver's cab to indicate that it has been successfully uncoupled