Marine fenders have been in use for decades. In fact, marine operations such as berthing, mooring, and other activities are impossible without them. There are different types of marine fenders. Among these, pneumatic fenders are very popular. However, many have no idea what they are, so they ask: What is a pneumatic rubber fender?
The major functionality of these pneumatic fenders is similar to that of other types. However, they have unique construction and operate on compressed air. This compressed gas inside them makes them absorb the force of impact. In this article, I will discuss pneumatic rubber fenders, their working, types, and more. Let’s get started.
What is a Pneumatic Rubber Fender?
Pneumatic rubber fenders were first developed and used in Japan. Later, they became popular worldwide for their efficiency at absorbing impact force. They are used both on docking structures and on ships and vessels.
Pneumatic rubber fenders are protective devices used on ships and ports. They are very useful for protecting ships and vessels from direct collisions with the port structure. These fenders are filled with air, which makes them very efficient. This compressed air helps absorb the impact force when a ship collides with a docking platform.
First things first – pneumatic fenders can float on the water and are suitable for protecting ships. As discussed in previous articles, there are different marine operations. These include ship-to-ship and ship-to-dock operations, among others. Ships don’t have brakes to stop them before they hit the docking structure. As a result, they can hit the docking structure and be damaged.
The pneumatic fenders are installed on the docking structure. As the ship approaches the dock, it collides with the fenders rather than the docking structure. These fenders absorb impact force due to the compressed air inside them. This helps prevent ships from colliding with the docking structure and from being directly impacted.
This way, both the ship and the docking platform remain safe. These pneumatic fenders can also be used on ships during STS (ship-to-ship) operations. Remember, ships can transfer cargo at sea through STS marine operations. These pneumatic fenders deployed on ships protect them from damage when ships are very close together.
Structure of Pneumatic Rubber Fender
Pneumatic rubber fenders have multiple-layer structures. As a result, these fenders are very strong and durable. The top layer of these fenders is made of synthetic rubber. This rubberized material is resistant to UV rays, heat, sunlight, and moisture. Even when remaining in use for days, this layer remains durable.
After that top layer, a second layer of reinforced tire-cord layers follows. These cords provide the marine fenders with the strength needed to withstand impact. It is worth noting that these tire-cord layers are not present randomly. Instead, they are strategically positioned and form criss-cross patterns.
This arrangement is what gives these fenders strength and robustness. After that middle layer, these fenders have dedicated chambers for holding the compressed air. The middle layer, consisting of tire-cords, gives this chamber strength to maintain its integrity. This air gets compressed when the ship or vessel collides with it.
This compression absorbs the impact and protects both the ship and the docking structure. To fill compressed air, these marine fenders contain valves. Remember, you can fill the chamber with compressed air if it’s deflated. Apart from this, you’ll also see some chains on the upper side of the fenders. These chains protect the fenders, ensuring their safety and durability.
How Does a Pneumatic Rubber Fender Work?
Before explaining how they work, let’s first look at the working principle of these fenders:
The working principle of pneumatic rubber fenders is based on air compression. The air inside the fenders compresses and absorbs the impact force. This absorption ensures that the ship does not face harsh forces. This results in better safety of both ships and the docking structure.
Pneumatic rubber fenders are employed or installed on the docking structure. The ship or vessel approaching the dock does not have brakes. The captain of the ship switches off the engine so that it slows down. However, there is no way to apply a sudden brake, so the ship stops before making contact with the docking platform.
That’s where these pneumatic fenders come in handy, as they are present on the docking platform. These fenders come between the ship and the docking structure. So, ships or vessels instead of colliding with docking structures, make contact with fenders. Upon collision, the air inside the fenders compresses. This compression of air absorbs the impact force.
As the name suggests, these fenders are made of rubber. The rubber material disperses and spreads the pressure across the fender’s surface. This way, the pressure is distributed evenly rather than concentrating at a single point. Even pressure distribution is key to helping these fenders withstand harsh forces and stresses. As a result, these fenders protect the ship and the docking structure.
Remember, these pneumatic fenders can be used on both docking structures and ships. However, the basic working mechanism remains the same as air compresses to absorb impact force. What makes these fenders very safe is their low reaction force. This is another advantage for the safety of both ships and docking platforms.
Types of Pneumatic Rubber Fenders
Pneumatic rubber fenders have different types. They differ in terms of protection and weight. Some popular types of these fenders are given below:
- Hydro-pneumatic Fender
- Net-type Pneumatic Fender
- Sling-type Pneumatic Fender
Net-type pneumatic fenders are known for their excellent strength. Their internal structure is the same as that of any other pneumatic fenders. However, their external surface consists of a network of chains. These chains are wrapped around the external side, ensuring excellent strength. These chains help make these fenders more resistant to abrasion and wear.
Sling-type pneumatic fenders don’t have external chains. As a result, these pneumatic fenders are very lightweight and easy to carry. Both ends of these fenders have attached slings, a key feature. These slings or ropes help in lifting the fenders to higher heights. The installation of these fenders is made easiest by the use of slings. You can easily install them on the ship or vessel using these slings.
Lastly, the hydro-pneumatic fenders differ in that they combine compressed air and water. As a result, these fenders maintain buoyancy and absorb impact. The air compressed inside the chambers compresses during collision. This way, the fenders absorb the impact force. Similarly, the water inside the fenders helps control their buoyancy.
As you know, some vessels have large hulls. Some parts of their hull remain submerged and can collide with the docking platform. To protect the hull, these hydro-pneumatic fenders are very important. These fenders remain submerged, maintain their position, and buoyancy. This way, they protect the hull from directly colliding with the docking structure.
Key Features or Advantages of Pneumatic Rubber Fenders
Pneumatic rubber fenders have numerous useful features. As a result, the use of these fenders is becoming prevalent. In the section below, I will discuss some popular advantages of these parabordi marini:
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Energy Absorption Capacity
The primary advantage of pneumatic fenders is their excellent energy-absorption capability. These fenders come with dedicated chambers filled with compressed air. When a ship collides, the air inside the chambers compresses. This compression absorbs the energy, protecting the ship or vessel from the massive impact.
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Don’t Push Back Strongly
Pneumatic rubber fenders offer low reaction force. As I said, air compresses and absorbs energy. After that, the rubber material distributes the pressure across the fenders’ surfaces. This distribution of pressure reduces reaction force. The fender does not push back strongly against the ship. Little to no reaction forces make these fenders safe for both small and large ships.
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Floating Capability & Versatility
Pneumatic fenders of all types can float on the water, which is a significant advantage. As I said, hydro-pneumatic fenders have both compressed air and water. The water that fills their chambers increases their buoyancy. As a result, these fenders can maintain their position in harsh weather. These fenders are available in small, medium, and large sizes.
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Wide Contact Area
As discussed previously, larger pneumatic fenders cover more of the surface of the ship. This means they can project a larger area of the collision directly onto the docking structure. Additionally, some pneumatic fenders are available in sizes ranging from small to medium. They are an ideal option for medium-sized ships and protect them from collision.
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Resistance to Harsh Environments
Pneumatic rubber fenders are excellent against harsh environmental conditions. The outer layer of these fenders is made of synthetic rubber. This rubber can withstand UV rays, heat, and salty water, among other conditions. As a result, these fenders remain in good condition even after many years of consistent use. Above all, pneumatic rubber fenders are also resistant to unexpected abrasion.
Domande frequenti
Where are pneumatic rubber fenders used?
Pneumatic rubber fenders can be used at ports, jetties, and docking structures. You can also use them on a ship or a vessel during a ship-to-ship marine operation.
What are pneumatic rubber fenders used for?
Pneumatic rubber fenders are made to protect both ships and docking platforms. They are placed between the ship and the docking structure. This means first colliding with these fenders rather than hitting the docking structure directly. These fenders absorb impact force, protecting the ship.
Are pneumatic rubber fenders better than normal fenders?
Yes. Pneumatic rubber fenders are better than regular ones. Why? The reason is that they contain compressed air. When ships collide with them, their air compresses and efficiently absorbs the ship’s large amount of kinetic energy. Regular fenders cannot absorb as much as these fenders do.
Conclusione
Let’s conclude: marine fenders of all types are critical to the safety of ships and other vessels. However, pneumatic fenders stand out because of their excellent air compression. As a result, their impact force absorption capability is second to none. That’s why many large-scale ports and jetties use pneumatic fenders.
In this article, I have explained everything about pneumatic fenders and their working. Remember, there are different types of these rubberized fenders. When buying, ensure you choose the pneumatic fender type you actually need. If you’re buying for smaller boats, I recommend choosing small- to medium-sized pneumatic fenders.