Pneumatic fenders are vital in the maritime industry. They protect ships and docks from damage in a collision.
The correct amount of Pneumatic Rubber Fenders is critical to the performance and longevity of the fenders. If Pneumatic Fenders are under-inflated, they do not cushion collisions well, increasing the risk of damage to ships and docks. On the other hand, if Pneumatic Fenders are over-inflated, they can be deformed or even damaged, reducing their ability to protect effectively.
Maintaining the proper level of inflation not only helps to protect the asset, but also extends the life of the Pneumatic Fenders and ensures the long term safe operation of the vessel and marina.
In this article, we will detail the steps and considerations for properly inflating Pneumatic Fenders.
Firstly, we will explore the basic structure and working principles of Pneumatic Fenders and understand their inflation requirements.
Then, we will explain step-by-step the procedure for proper inflation, including the selection of appropriate inflation equipment, checking the initial condition of the fender, and how to adjust to the recommended inflation pressure.
Finally, the paper will also emphasize key points to note during the inflation process, such as avoiding over-inflation and regularly checking the inflation status to ensure optimum performance and service life of the fender.
Table of Contents
Basic Principle of Pneumatic Fenders
Fender structure
The basic structure of Pneumatic Fenders consists of three main parts:
Shell: Usually made of abrasion and corrosion-resistant materials, it contains a rubber layer and a reinforcing wire layer to provide external protection and stability of the fender.
Inner liner: The inner liner is the airbag portion of the Pneumatic Fenders and is responsible for storing gas to provide elastic cushioning to mitigate the impact of a collision.
Valve: The valve is used for inflating and deflating, through which the gas pressure inside the Pneumatic Fenders can be adjusted to ensure that the fenders are properly inflated under different operating conditions.
Importance of Inflation
Inflation is essential for the elasticity and protection of the fender.
Proper inflation ensures that the fender maintains optimum elasticity so that it can effectively absorb impacts during a collision and minimize damage to the hull and marina.
If Pneumatic Fenders are under-inflated, they are not elastic enough to effectively cushion the impact, which may result in damage to the vessel or marina.
Over-inflation, on the other hand, may cause the fender to become too stiff, reducing its deformation capacity and cushioning effect, thus reducing its protective effect.
Properly inflated Pneumatic Fenders maintain the ideal shape and elasticity of the fender, thus increasing its protective capacity and prolonging its service life.
Preparation
Henger’s technical team recommends several preparations when inflating Pneumatic Fenders. These include Pneumatic Fenders and testing of the inflatable equipment.
The testing of the inflatable equipment mainly includes the testing of the air compressor, the inflatable valve and the pressure gauge.
Air compressor: check that it is working properly and the output pressure is stable.
Air valve: make sure the valve is not damaged and can be opened and closed smoothly.
Pressure gauge: Make sure the pressure gauge is accurate and can measure the inflation pressure precisely.
The condition of the Pneumatic Fenders also needs to be checked before inflation:
Appearance check: Look for visible cracks, wear and tear or other damage on the surface of the fender.
Seal check: Check whether the seams and joints of the fender are tight.
Valve condition: Make sure the valve is not blocked or loose, operates smoothly, and has no air leakage.
Inflating Procedure
To better provide convenience for the technicians who need fender inflation steps, Henger technical team has specially come up with detailed inflation steps:
1）Find the hole on the body of Pneumatic Fenders, the position is on the flange of one side of the fender.
2) Rotate the inflation lever and install it on the inflation hole.
3) Turn the valve core lever and remove the valve core.
4) Connect the air hose through the quick coupling and connect the air compressor for inflation.
5) Open the switch on the inflatable lever and inflate at 0.05/0.08mpa according to the actual pressure of the Pneumatic Fenders.
6) When the pressure is close to 50kpa/80kpa, immediately close the valve on the inflation lever and remove the quick coupling hose.
7) Put the pressure gauge through the rubber washer, align the inflatable rod, slowly open the inflatable valve, and check the pressure, after passing the test, close the valve and remove the pressure gauge.
8) Put the valve core on the valve core rod, align the valve core rod with the inflatable rod, open the valve, and quickly install the valve core in the inflatable port.
Inspection after inflation
After completing the inflation of Pneumatic Fenders, Henger technical team suggests that technicians need to carry out some routine checks on the Pneumatic Fenders.
Pressure stability test: After the completion of inflation, check whether the pressure of the Pneumatic Fenders remains stable. Wait for some time and observe the pressure gauge to make sure there is no obvious pressure drop.
Leakage test: Use soapy water to apply to the joints of the valve and fender, and observe whether air bubbles are produced. If bubbles appear, it means there is a leak. It is also possible to test the pressure value using a pressure gauge after 24h of standing.
Safety confirmation: Before actual use, carry out a final check to ensure that the fender is fully inflated, that there are no abnormalities in its appearance, that the pressure is within the recommended range and that there are no air leaks from the air valves and joints. Ensure that all equipment and fenders are in a condition that meets safety requirements.
Common problems and solutions during the inflation process
Failure of air valve encountered during inflation
The spring or seal inside the air valve is damaged. Solution: Check and replace the seals of the air valve.
The air valve is improperly installed or at an incorrect angle.
SOLUTION: Ensure that the air valve is installed correctly and check the installation angle.
Dust or dirt build-up on air valve components.
SOLUTION: Clean the air valve to remove any dust or dirt build-up.
Overinflated Or Underinflated
Check Air Pressure Gauge: Ensure the gauge scale is appropriate for the fender’s recommended air pressure range.
Check Appearance: Over-inflated Pneumatic Fenders will become abnormally hard and the surface may appear bloated or distorted. Under-inflated Pneumatic Fenders may appear flabby and the surface may wrinkle or collapse.
Touch and Press: Press the surface of the fender with your hand to feel its hardness. Over-inflated fenders may be very hard, while under-inflated fenders are softer.
Equipment Connection Problems
Insufficient air pressure: The air compressor is not firmly connected to the air valve, resulting in poor airflow. Treatment: Ensure that the connecting parts of the air compressor (such as joints, hoses, and adapters) are firmly connected to the air valve.
gas leakage: The gas valve and compressor connection seal are not tight, resulting in gas leakage. Treatment: Check the sealing ring of the air valve and compressor, make sure the connection is tight to prevent air leakage, and replace it if necessary.
slow inflation: the pipeline between the air compressor and the air valve may be blocked. Treatment: Check and clean the connecting piping to make sure there is no obstruction.
Maintenance and regular inspection
After the Pneumatic Fenders are formally put into use, it is also necessary to carry out regular inspections of the inflatable rubber fenders, mainly including:
Air pressure check: use an air pressure gauge to check the internal air pressure of the fender to ensure that it is within the recommended range.
appearance check: check the fender surface for cracks, wear and tear, bulging, or other obvious damage.
Cleaning and maintenance: clean the fender surface, and remove dirt and salt to avoid corrosion.
The inflatable equipment also needs regular maintenance to ensure its normal operation:
Regular inspection and oil replacement: check the oil level and oil quality, and replace the oil according to the interval recommended by the manufacturer.
Clean or replace the air filter: clean or replace the air filter regularly to prevent dust and dirt from entering the compressor.
Check and maintain the exhaust system: check the exhaust pipe for blockage or leakage to ensure smooth exhaust.
Check the safety valve and pressure switch: Test the safety valve and pressure switch regularly to ensure that they work properly to prevent overpressure.
Practical application cases
The customer in Malaysia purchased a Pneumatic Fender with a size of 1.2*2M and an internal pressure of 50kpa, the picture below shows that the customer is carrying out the routine inspection before installation. After the feedback from the customer, in the subsequent installation and use, the customer strictly follows the installation instruction manual of Henger Marine for installation and maintenance. Until now, this batch of fenders has been used safely and stably for 2 years, and it is believed that the fenders can serve for 2 more years.
Related Reading:How Pneumatic Rubber Fenders Handle Harsh Marine? Weathe
FAQs
Check the air pressure gauge, touch and press the surface of the fender, check whether the fender looks full or not.
Check the surface of the fender for cracks, holes, or other damage. Small cracks or holes can be repaired with repair material; for severe damage, consider replacing the fender.
Check the air valve and seals. Check to see if the air valve seals are intact and not worn or damaged.
Monthly: Use an air pressure gauge to periodically check the air pressure of the fender to ensure it is within the recommended range.