VESSEL AND CRANE FOR OFFSHORE OPERATIONS INVOLVING ENERGY CONSUMING EQUIPMENT OR TOOLS

Abstract

Providing energy to an energy consuming piece of equipment and/or tool during offshore operations. Use is made of a crane including a substructure, a boom mounted on the substructure, one or more hoist winches and cables, as well as an object suspension device suspended from the boom by the cables. A piece of equipment or tool is suspended from the object suspension device. An energy storage unit is provided on the object suspension device and has an input connector. The boom may be provided with an output connector of an energy charging unit and in a lower supply position of the object suspension device it is disconnected from the input connector of the energy storage unit. The piece of equipment or tool is then run on energy supplied by the energy storage unit. Moving the object suspension device to a charging position thereof by employing the hoist assembly of the crane brings the input connector of the energy storage unit in close proximity of the output connector of the energy charging unit which are then interconnected to charge the energy storage unit from a separate energy source.

Claims

1-17. (canceled)

18. A crane for performing offshore operations involving energy consuming equipment, the crane comprising: a substructure; a boom, pivotally mounted on the substructure; a luffing assembly configured for luffing of the boom; a hoist assembly configured for hoisting and lowering an object including the energy consuming equipment, the hoist assembly comprising: one or more hoist winches; and one or more hoist cables driven by the one or more hoist winches; and a travelling block configured to releasably engage the object, in order to suspend the object underneath the travelling block, wherein the travelling block is suspended from a crown block on the boom via the one or more winch driven hoist cables of the hoist assembly, wherein the travelling block is provided with a rechargeable energy storage unit, the rechargeable energy storage unit being configured to store therein energy, wherein the rechargeable energy storage unit comprises an input connector and an output connector, wherein the travelling block is movable by employing the hoist assembly into a charging position and one or more supply positions remote from charging position, wherein when the travelling block is in the charging position, the input connector of the rechargeable energy storage unit is connectable to an output connector of an assigned energy charging unit in order to charge the rechargeable energy storage unit from a separate energy source that is assigned to the energy charging unit, and wherein when the travelling block is in one of the supply positions and the input connector of the rechargeable energy storage unit is disconnected from the output connector of the energy charging unit, the rechargeable energy storage unit is configured to supply energy stored therein to the energy consuming equipment which is configured to operate on said energy via the output connector of the rechargeable energy storage unit and an interconnected input connector of, or operatively connected to, said energy consuming equipment.

19. The crane according to claim 18, wherein the output connector of the energy charging unit is located at an end of a vertical movement path of the input connector of the rechargeable energy storage unit it is assigned to during hoisting and lowering of the travelling block by the hoist assembly into and out of the charging position thereof.

20. The crane according to claim 19, wherein the charging position is an upper charging position and the one or more supply positions are one or more lower supply positions, and wherein the output connector of the energy charging unit is located at an upper end of the vertical movement path.

21. The crane according to claim 20, wherein the output connector of the energy charging unit is mounted to the crown block.

22. The crane according to claim 18, wherein the output connector of the energy charging unit and the input connector of the rechargeable energy storage unit are directed towards one other, such that only the hoisting of said travelling block into the charging position interconnects the output connector of the energy charging unit and input connector of the rechargeable energy storage unit in order to charge the rechargeable energy storage unit.

23. The crane according to claim 18, wherein the energy consuming equipment is an exchangeable tool, wherein the exchangeable tool has, or is connectable to or connected with a shank provided with a shoulder, and wherein the travelling block supports a tool clamp which is configured to releasably engage on said shank in order to suspend the exchangeable tool underneath the travelling block, the tool clamp comprising: a female, open-centered body defining a shank receiving passage with a central vertical axis allowing introduction of the shank into the passage from below; and one or more mobile tool retainers adapted to, in a non-operative position thereof, allow introduction of the shank from below into the shank receiving passage and, in an operative position thereof, engage below the shoulder of the shank that has been introduced into the passage so as to suspend the shank, and thereby the tool, from the tool clamp.

24. The crane according to claim 23, wherein the shank comprises an input connector located at an upper end region of the shank, above the shoulder, and wherein the output connector of the rechargeable energy storage unit is connectable to the input connector of the shank, and wherein the input connector of the shank is arranged at an end of a line or cable running down through the shank, such as to operatively be connected or connectable to the exchangeable tool.

25. The crane according to claim 24, wherein the shank is integral with the exchangeable tool so that the input connector of the shank forms the input connector of the exchangeable tool.

26. The crane according to claim 24, wherein the shank is separate from the exchangeable tool and an operative connection is established via an interconnection of an output connector at a lower end of the shank and the input connector of the exchangeable tool.

27. A vessel comprising the crane according to claim 18, wherein the vessel further comprises the energy charging unit which is assigned to the rechargeable energy storage unit.

28. The vessel according to claim 27, wherein the separate energy source is provided remote from the energy charging unit.

29. The vessel according to claim 28, wherein the separate energy source is supported on a supporting surface of the vessel, and wherein one or more lines and/or cables run from the separate energy source along the crane up to the energy charging unit.

30. The vessel according to claim 27, wherein the energy stored in the rechargeable energy storage unit is electrical energy, and wherein the separate energy source assigned thereto is an on-board electricity grid of the vessel.

31. The vessel according to claim 27, wherein the energy stored in the rechargeable energy storage unit is hydraulic energy.

32. A method for providing energy to energy consuming equipment, wherein use is made of the crane according to claim 18, the method comprising the steps of: suspending the object including the energy consuming equipment from the travelling block; connecting an input connector of the energy consuming equipment to an output connector of the rechargeable energy storage unit; in a supply position of the travelling block, wherein the output connector of the energy charging unit is disconnected from the input connector of the rechargeable energy storage unit, operating the energy consuming equipment and/or tool on energy being supplied by the rechargeable energy storage unit and thereby discharging the rechargeable energy storage unit; moving the travelling block to the charging position thereof by employing the hoist assembly of the crane, in which charging position the input connector of the rechargeable energy storage unit is in close proximity of the output connector of the energy charging unit assigned thereto; in said charging position, connecting the input connector of the rechargeable energy storage unit to the output connector of the energy charging unit assigned thereto; and charging the rechargeable energy storage unit by supplying energy from a separate energy source to the energy charging unit and via the output connector of the energy charging unit to the input connector of the rechargeable energy storage unit.

Description

[0074] Embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to the appended figures. In the figures:

[0075] FIG. 1 schematically depicts a first embodiment of a vessel according to the invention,

[0076] FIG. 2 schematically depicts the first embodiment, the object suspension device thereof being in a supply position,

[0077] FIG. 3 schematically depicts the first embodiment, the object suspension device thereof being hoisted upwards from the supply position,

[0078] FIG. 4 schematically depicts the first embodiment, the object suspension device thereof being in the charging position,

[0079] FIG. 5 schematically depicts an embodiment of an object suspension device having a tool clamp and an exchangeable tool according to the invention,

[0080] FIG. 6 schematically shows a cross-section of the object suspension device with tool clamp and an exchangeable tool of FIG. 5,

[0081] FIG. 7 schematically depicts the tool clamp of FIGS. 5, 6 without the shank of the exchangeable tool being inserted, with the mobile tool retainers in the non-operative position,

[0082] FIG. 8 schematically depicts the tool clamp of FIG. 7 with the mobile tool retainers in the operative position retaining the shank,

[0083] FIG. 9 schematically depicts a second embodiment of a vessel according to the invention.

[0084] FIG. 1 depicts a first exemplary embodiment of a vessel 1 comprising a crane 2 for performing offshore operations involving energy consuming equipment and/or tools.

[0085] The crane 2 comprising a substructure 21, here a revolving substructure 21, and a boom 22 that is mounted on the substructure 21. The boom 22 is at an inner end thereof pivotally mounted on the substructure about a pivot axis 22a allowing for luffing the boom 22 up and down.

[0086] A luffing assembly, here with luffing winch 23a and luffing cable 23b, is provided for luffing of the boom 22.

[0087] The crane 2 has a hoist assembly 24 configured for hoisting and lowering an object, which comprises: [0088] one or more hoist winches 25, [0089] one or more hoist cables 26 driven by the one or more hoist winches 25, [0090] an object suspension device 3 configured to releasably engage an object 41, e.g. a tool 42 or a piece of equipment 43, in order to suspend the object 41 underneath the object suspension device 3.

[0091] In this example, the object suspension device 3 comprising a travelling block member 31 which is suspended from a crown block 27 on the boom 22 via the one or more winch driven hoist cables 26 of the hoist assembly 24.

[0092] The object suspension device 3 is provided with a rechargeable energy storage unit 32 that is mounted to the object suspension device 3, here to the travelling block member 31 thereof.

[0093] This unit 32 is configured to store therein energy.

[0094] The energy storage unit 32 comprises an input connector 32i and an output connector 32o.

[0095] As will be explained in more detail below, the object suspension device 3 is movable by employing the hoist assembly 24 into an upper charging position and one or more lower supply positions remote from, here below, the charging position.

[0096] The vessel 1 further comprising an energy charging unit 11 which is assigned to the energy storage unit 32. Here the energy charging unit 11 including an output connector 110 thereof is mounted to the boom 22 of the crane, e.g. to the crown block 27 thereof.

[0097] For example, the unit 11 is a stationary energy charging unit 11 mounted to the crane 2 at a fixed location thereon, e.g. to the crown block 27 of the boom 22 of the crane 2.

[0098] The energy charging unit 11 is configured such that, when the object suspension device 3 is in the charging position, the input connector 32i of the energy storage unit 32 is connectable to the output connector 110 of the energy charging unit 11 in order to charge the energy storage unit 32 from a separate energy source 12 that is assigned to the energy charging unit 11.

[0099] The energy storage unit 32 is configured to supply, when the object suspension device 3 is in one of the lower supply positions and the input connector 32i of the energy storage unit 32 is disconnected from the output connector 110 of the energy charging unit 11, energy stored therein to a piece of energy consuming equipment 42 and/or an energy consuming tool 43 via the output connector 32o of the energy storage unit 32 and an interconnected input connector 43i of, or operatively connected to, said piece of equipment 42 or tool 43.

[0100] As can be seen in FIGS. 2, 3, and 4 the object suspension device 3 is movable into the upper charging position (FIG. 4) and the one or more lower supply positions by operation of the hoist assembly 24.

[0101] The output connector 110 of the energy charging unit 11 is located at an upper end of a vertical movement path of the input connector 32i of the energy storage unit 32 during hoisting and lowering of the object suspension device 3 by the hoist assembly 24 into and out of the charging position thereof.

[0102] The output connector 110 of the energy charging unit 11 and input connector 32i of the energy storage unit 32 are directed towards one other, such that the hoisting of said object suspension device 3 into the charging position facilitates or causes the interconnection of said output connector 110 and input connector 32i in order to charge the energy storage unit 32.

[0103] As preferred, the crown block 27 of the crane is pivotally mounted to the boom 22 and the one or more output connectors 110 of the one or more energy charging units 11 are mounted on the crown block 27. Herein the one or more input connectors 32i of the one or more energy storage units are mounted on the travelling block 31 of the crane which is suspended by one or more hoisting cables 26 from the crown block 27. Herein the one or more output connectors 110 of the one or more energy charging units 11 remain in a vertical orientation independent of the angular position of the luffable boom 22. As for example shown in FIG. 5, the one or more input connectors 32i of the one or more energy storage units 32 are arranged to be vertical, e.g. in a fixed vertical orientation on the travelling block 31, so that these connectors 110 and 32i are connected and disconnected by vertical relative motion, e.g. caused by operation of the hoisting assembly or by another actuator that causes the desired mating and disconnecting of these connectors when the travelling block is in the upper charging position.

[0104] For example, in order to avoid damage to the connectors 110 and 32i, a stopper can be provided which engages the object suspension device 3, 31 upon reaching the upper charging position, such that the interconnection with the energy storage is or can be made reliably.

[0105] It is shown that separate energy source 12 is provided remote from the energy charging unit 11 on the crane 2, which unit 11 here is located on the boom 22. It is shown here that the separate energy source 12 is supported on a supporting surface, here deck 13, of the vessel 1. One or more lines 47, e.g. for hydraulic fluid, and/or cables 47, e.g. for electricity, run from the separate energy source 12 along the crane 2 up to the energy charging unit 11 on the boom 22.

[0106] For example, the energy stored in the energy storage unit 32 is electrical energy. Preferably, the separate energy source 12 is an on-board electricity grid of the vessel 1.

[0107] For example, the energy stored in the energy storage unit 32 is hydraulic energy.

[0108] In an embodiment, the output connector 32o of the energy storage unit 32 is provided at a lower end of one or more lines and/or cables 46 running downwards through, or along, the object suspension device 3 such that the input connector 43i of the piece of equipment 42 and/or tool 43, when suspended underneath the object suspension device 3, is connectable or connected to the output connector 32o of the energy storage unit 32.

[0109] The figures illustrate the presence of an exchangeable tool 43. In FIG. 5, by way of example, the tool 43 is a lifting tool for a monopile that is to be installed into the seabed and to serve as foundation of an offshore wind turbine.

[0110] The exchangeable tool 43 has a shank 45 that is provided with a shoulder 45s. The shank 45 may be integral part of the tool 43, or may be releasable from the tool 43 to be connected therewith when needed.

[0111] It is illustrated that the travelling block member 31 supports a tool clamp 33 which is configured to releasably engage on the shank 45 in order to suspend the exchangeable tool 43 underneath the object suspension device 3.

[0112] The tool clamp 33 comprises: [0113] a female, open-centered body 34 defining a shank receiving passage 35 with a central vertical axis 35a allowing introduction of the shank 45 into the passage 35 from below, and [0114] one or more mobile tool retainers 36 adapted to—in a non-operative position thereof (see FIG. 7)—allow introduction of the shank 45 from below into the shank receiving passage 35 and—in an operative position thereof (see FIG. 8)—engage below the shoulder 45s of the shank 45 that has been introduced into the passage 35 so as to suspend the shank 45, and thereby the tool 42, from the tool clamp 33.

[0115] As preferred, the one or more mobile tool retainers 36 form with the body 34 a swivelling assembly support via a swivel bearing 84 which allows for swivelling of the tool 43 about the axis 35a.

[0116] For example, as shown, the tool clamp 33 comprises an electric motor 38, which drives a rotation of the female open-centered body 34 of the tool clamp 33, and thereby a rotation of the shank 45, and thus the tool 43, around the vertical axis 35a of the shank receiving passage 35.

[0117] This motor 38 is supplied with electrical energy from the energy storage unit 32.

[0118] Actuators 37, here electric spindle drives 37, of the tool clamp 33 move the mobile tool retainers 36 thereof between the operative and a non-operative position. More details on possible embodiments and the operation of the tool clamp 33 are provided in the non-prepublished application WO2020/055249 by the applicant.

[0119] It is illustrated, as preferred, that input connector 43i is arranged at the top end of the shank 45, e.g. recessed therein, e.g. above the shoulder 45s. The output connector 32o of the energy storage unit 32 is arranged on the device 3, here on travelling block member 31, to be mated with the input connector 43i. For example, as illustrated, the connector 32o is movable on command between a connected and disconnected position.

[0120] As preferred, the tool clamp 33 and the output connector 32o of the energy storage unit 32 that is arranged to be mated with input connector 43i at the top end of the shank 45 when held by the tool clamp 33 are assembled into an assembly that is pivotal about a horizontal pivot axis 75 relative to the travelling block 31. This allows for pivotal motion about axis 75 of the tool 43 and any objected handled by the tool (when present) relative to the travelling block 31.

[0121] It is illustrated that the input connector 43i of the shank is arranged at an end of a line or cable 46 running down through or along the shank 45, e.g. through a hollow shank 45, to underneath the object suspension device 3 when the shank is engaged by the tool clamp 33, such as to operatively be connected or connectable to an energy consuming part of the exchangeable tool 43.

[0122] For example, the shank 45 is integral with the tool 43 so that the input connector 43i of the shank 45 forms the input connector 43i of the tool 43. In another embodiment, the shank 45 is separate from the tool 43 and an operative connection is established via an interconnection of an output connector at a lower end of the shank and the input connector of the tool.

[0123] It is illustrated, by way of example, that the tool 43 has energy consuming parts, here including electric spindle drives 43d for providing controlled motion of parts of the tool 43.

[0124] It is illustrated, by way of example, that the tool 43 has a controller 43c for controlling operation of one or more energy consuming parts 43d. For example, the controller 43 configured to communicate wireless to a controller on-board the vessel 1.

[0125] For example, the energy charging unit 11 is connected to a remote and separate electric energy source 12, e.g. which is supported on the supporting surface 13 of the vessel 1, and is configured to supply, from the energy source 12, electric energy to the energy storage unit 32 via an output connector 110 of the energy charging unit 11.

[0126] When the device 3 is in a lower supply position, the energy storage unit 32 is disconnected from the charging unit 11 and is configured to supply the energy stored therein to the tool 43 suspended from the device 3, which tool 43 is configured to operate on said energy, via a first output connector 32o of the energy storage unit 32 and an input connector 43i of the tool 43, when the first output connector 32o and the input connector 43i are interconnected. By such energy supply to the tool 43, the energy storage unit 32 is discharged.

[0127] The hoist assembly 24 is configured to lower the object suspension device 3 into a supply position thereof, which is shown in FIG. 2. In this supply position, the first output connector 32o of the energy storage unit 32 is connectable, or connected, as shown in FIG. 2, to the input connector 43i of the tool 43 to supply the energy stored therein to the tool 43.

[0128] The direction of the energy flow of the supply is schematically indicated in FIG. 2 by the thicker line with filled arrows.

[0129] The hoist assembly 24 is configured to hoist the object suspension device 3 upwards into a charging position, which is shown in FIG. 5. When in this charging position, the energy storage unit 32 is charged via input connector 32i of energy storage unit 32 when it is connected with the output connector 110 of the assigned energy charging unit 11. The input connector 32i is connected via line or cable 44 to the unit 32.

[0130] When the tool 43 is not needed, e.g. in order to replace the tool 43 for another exchangeable tool 43′ having a shank 45, the tool 43 may be lowered onto supporting surface 13 of the vessel 1 and disconnected from the first output connector 32o of the energy storage unit 32 as well as released from the object suspension device. A disconnected and released tool 43′ may be placed on the supporting surface 13 of the vessel 1, as shown in FIG. 4.

[0131] Energy stored in the energy storage unit 32 may be used also for operation of the tool clamp 33, e.g. operating the one or more actuators 37 for controlled engagement and/or release of the tool by the tool clamp 33. For example, the energy is hydraulic energy and the actuators 37 are hydraulic actuators.

[0132] In the charging position of FIG. 4, the input connector 32i of the energy storage unit 32 is connectable, or connected, as shown, to at least one of the output connectors 110 of the assigned energy charging units 11, in order to charge the energy storage unit 32, for example via hydraulic line 47 that runs along the crane 2—see FIG. 1—to the separate energy source 12.

[0133] The direction of the energy flow of the charging is schematically indicated in FIG. 4 by the thicker line with filled arrows.

[0134] After charging, the object suspension device 3 may be lowered into a disconnected supply position.

[0135] The object suspension device 3 may have its own one or more energy consuming devices, e.g. electrical devices, e.g. including one or more GPS-sensors and/or camera's, actuators related to a tool clamp, etc. These are, preferably, also supplied with energy from the energy storage unit 32.

[0136] FIG. 9 relates to a second exemplary embodiment, which has a number of equally-numbered features in common with the first exemplary embodiment. The discussion of these features is for this reason not repeated—while the differing features are discussed below.

[0137] As shown in FIG. 9, two energy sources 12 are supported by the supporting surface 13 of the vessel. These concern an electrical energy source (left in the figure) and a hydraulic energy source (right in the figure). Two respectively assigned energy charging units 11 are also stationed on the deck 13, as well as two respective output connectors 110 thereof.

[0138] The object suspension device 3 comprises two energy storage units 32, an electrical storage unit 32 in the form of a battery, and a hydraulic energy storage unit in the form of a pressure accumulator, to which the electrical and hydraulic energy charging units 11 are respectively assigned. The energy storage units each comprise an input connector 32i.

[0139] In FIG. 9 a charging position of the object suspension device 3 is in proximity of or on the deck 13, such, that the output connectors 110 of the energy charging units 11 are connectable to the input connectors 32i of the energy storage units. While connecting and/or charging after the connection has been made, the tool 43 may optionally be supported on the deck 13, and/or undergo maintenance or adjustments, and/or be released from the object suspension device 3, and/or again be introduced into the tool clamp 33 and be engaged thereby to be suspended from the object suspension device 3 again, or be replaced by another tool 43 through the subsequent engagement thereof by the tool clamp 33.

[0140] As shown, a further, or primary charging unit 11 with output connector 110 can be provided on the boom 22 as discussed herein above. This allows for charging both in an upper charging position of the device 3 as well as a charging position in proximity or on deck 13.

[0141] In an embodiment, the vessel 1 is provided with a basket to receive therein the object suspension device 3, e.g. the travelling block member, e.g. provided with tool clamp 33, when the luffable boom 22 is rested, substantially horizontally, on a boom rest, e.g. as explained in WO2009/099319. For example, herein, a charging unit 11 may be combined with the basket and/or the boom rest for connection to the energy storage unit 32 on the device 3.

[0142] FIG. 9 also illustrates, by way of example, that on the supporting surface 13 one or more, here two, replacement energy storage units 32 are provided, identical to the two energy storage units 32 mounted to the object suspension device 3 and mountable to the object suspension device 3. In an embodiment, the one or more energy storage units 32 of the object suspension device 3 are releasably mounted to the object suspension device, these may be released and removed therefrom, and consequently be replaced by the replacement energy storage units 32, by mounting these to the object suspension device. The replacement energy units may e.g. have been charged on the supporting surface 13, e.g. the deck, by means of the energy charging units 11 while the originally mounted energy storage units 32 were in a supply position supplying energy to tool 43 and pieces of equipment 42 during an operation, being discharged. The removed energy storage units 32 may consequently be supported by the supporting surface 13, e.g. the deck, and be charged by the assigned energy charging units 11 after connection of their input connectors 32i with the output connectors 110.