VESSEL WITH TRANSFER INSTALLATION FOR TRANSFERRING PERSONS AND CARGO FROM THE VESSEL TOWARDS AN OFFSHORE CONSTRUCTION

Abstract

A vessel (1) with a transfer installation for cargo and persons towards an offshore construction (12) comprises means for stabilizing its position at sea relative to the offshore construction (12), a telescopically extendable beam assembly (2) that comprises telescopable beam elements (2a, 2b), which beam assembly (2) with its one outer end (15) is rotatably connected to the vessel (1) by means of an axle system (7a, 8a, 9a), and a driving device designed to bring the other outer end (16) of the telescopically extendable beam assembly (2) in contact with a landing provision (13) of the offshore construction (12). The telescopically extendable beam assembly (2) is provided with means for moving a transportation carriage (14) back and forth between both outer ends (15, 16) along the telescopically extendable beam assembly (2), wherein the transportation carriage (14) is provided with a support (20) for carrying the cargo and persons.

Claims

1. Vessel (1) equipped with a transfer installation for the transport and transfer of cargo and persons towards an offshore construction (12), that in particular is founded to the bottom of the sea, comprising: means for stabilizing its position at sea relative to the offshore construction (12); a telescopically extendable beam assembly (2) that comprises two or more beam elements (2a, 2b), which along their longitudinal axis are telescopable such that a distance between their outer ends (15, 16) is variable, which beam assembly (2) with its one outer end (15) is rotatably connected to the vessel (1) by means of an axle system (7a, 8a, 9a); and a driving device designed to bring the other outer end (16) of the telescopically extendable beam assembly (2) in contact with a landing provision (13) of the offshore construction (12), characterized in that, the telescopically extendable beam assembly (2), which with its one side (15) is rotatably connected to the vessel (1) by means of the axle system (7a, 8a, 9a), is provided with means for moving a transportation carriage (14) back and forth between both outer ends (15, 16) along the telescopically extendable beam assembly (2), wherein the transportation carriage (14) is provided with a support (20) for carrying the cargo and persons.

2. Vessel according to claim 1, wherein the telescopically extendable beam assembly (2) is provided with drive means and control provisions for maintaining permanent contact with the offshore construction (12) independent of vessel movement.

3. Vessel according to claim 1, wherein the transportation carriage (14), which is movable back and forth between both outer ends (15, 16) of the telescopically extendable beam assembly (2), is dividable in at least two carriage parts (14a, 14b).

4. Vessel according to claim 3, wherein one of the carriage parts (14a, 14b) is provided with the support (20) for carrying the cargo and persons.

5. Vessel according to claim 3, wherein each of those carriage parts (14a 14b) is specifically designed for moving in the longitudinal direction along a respective one of the beam elements (2a, 2b) that is specifically destined for this respective carriage part (14a, 14b).

6. Vessel according to claim 3, wherein the one carriage part (14a) is movably guided along the one beam element (2a) onto and connectable with the other carriage part (14b), and wherein the other carriage part (14b) is movably guided along the other beam element (2b).

7. Vessel according to claim 3, wherein the one carriage part (14a) is connectable with the other carriage part (14b).

8. Vessel according to claim 3, wherein a transition between the first and second beam elements (2a, 2b) forms a stop for one of the carriage parts (14b) to move towards the one end (15) of the beam assembly (2).

9. Vessel according to claim 1, wherein the means for moving the transportation carriage (14) back and forth between both outer ends (15, 16) of the telescopically extendable beam assembly (2) comprise a drive system (17, 18, 19), in particular one having a winch (17), cable (18) and reverse pulley (19).

10. Vessel according to claim 3, wherein the drive system (17, 18, 19) connects to the one carriage part (14a), for bringing the one carriage part (14a) from the one outer end (15) forth towards, onto and in connection with the other carriage part (14b), and for then bringing the carriage parts (14a, 14b) together as an assembly further forth towards the other outer end (16).

11. Vessel according to claim 1, wherein the axle system (7a, 8a, 9a), via which the telescopically extendable beam assembly (2) is connected one-sided with the vessel construction, comprises drive means and control means (7a, 8a, 9a) for controlling rotations around the individual axles (7a, 8a, 9a).

12. Vessel according to claim 1, wherein the transportation carriage (14) comprises means (21) for adjusting the support (20) for carrying the cargo and persons with the aim of having it adjusted in an aimed angle relative to the beam assembly (2), and in particular independent of an angle of orientation of the telescopically extendable beam assembly (2).

13. Vessel according to claim 1, wherein the transportation carriage (14) is guided along the beam assembly (2) by means of rollers (56), in particular sets of upper and lower rollers (56) that encompass flanges (57) of the beam assembly (2).

14. Method for transferring or taking over persons and cargo from or towards an offshore construction from a vessel according to one of the preceding claims, comprising the steps: stabilizing the vessel (1) in a position at sea relative to the offshore construction (12); and bringing the other outer end (16) of the telescopically extendable beam assembly (2) in contact with the landing provision (13) of the offshore construction (12); and maintaining this contact by having the beam assembly (2) telescopically extend and rotate around the axle system (7a, 8a, 9a) for compensating relative movements between the vessel (1) and the offshore construction (12), characterized in that, the method further comprises the step: moving the transportation carriage (14) back and forth between both outer ends (15, 16) along the telescopically extendable beam assembly (2).

15. Method according to claim 14, wherein during the step of moving the transportation carriage (14) forth from the one outer end (15) towards the other outer end (16), the one carriage part (14a) of the transportation carriage (14) is moved forth along the one beam element (2a), then connected with the other carriage part (14b) of the transportation carriage (14), and then together as an assembly further forth along the other beam element (2b) towards the other outer end (16), and wherein during the step of moving the transportation carriage (14) back from the other outer end (16) towards the one outer end (15), the one carriage part (14a) is moved back together as an assembly with the other carriage part (14a) along the other beam element (2a), then disconnected from the other carriage part (14b) onto the one beam element (2a), and then alone further back along the one beam element (2a) towards the one outer end (15).

Description

[0027] The invention further relates to the transfer installation itself for installation on a vessel, as well as to a method for use of the vessel with the transfer installation installed thereupon.

[0028] The invention shall be explained below with reference to exemplary embodiments of the invention that are shown in the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0029] FIG. 1-4 schematically show a first embodiment of a vessel with transfer installation according to the invention during subsequent phases of the transfer process;

[0030] FIG. 5-11 shows a second embodiment during subsequent phases of the transfer process;

[0031] FIG. 12-15 show two other variants of the carriage with support; and

[0032] FIGS. 16, 17 and 18 show three variants of the driving device for moving the carriage along the beam elements.

[0033] FIG. 1 shows the general assembly of the invention comprising a vessel 1 on which an axle system 7a, 8a, 9a is mounted with which a telescopic bridging beam assembly 2 is connected to the vessel 1.

[0034] The axle system 7a, 8a, 9a is included in a supporting construction 3 in which provisions are included for the bearing of respective axles in x-, y- and z-directions 4, 5, 6, in which each axle bearing is provided with controllable drive means for controlled rotation movement of the element that is supported on the bearings, with the aim of having a free distal outer end 16 of the beam assembly 2 move in a controlled manner in space. In the shown embodiment the z-axle 6 rotation is made as slewing bearing 7a with drive 7b, the y-axle 5 rotation as axle bearing connection 8a with cylinder drive 8b, and the x-axle 4 rotation as axle bearing connection 9a with drive 9b.

[0035] In the shown embodiment the beam assembly 2 is connected to the axle system 7a, 8a, 9a by means of a connection eye in an x-axle rotation point 9a. Other connection points are also possible within the scope of the described invention.

[0036] The beam assembly 2 is provided with drive means 10 having control means and integrated guiding provisions for having its respective beam elements 2a, 2b telescope relative to each other in the longitudinal direction. The free distal outer end 16 of the beam assembly 2 is provided with a contact element 11 that, during contacting with an offshore wind turbine 12 is able to cooperate, if desired, with a landing provision 13 that in occurring cases is applied thereon. The landing provision 13 here comprises a U-profile inside which the contact element 11 can fit with some play.

[0037] A transportation carriage 14 is provided on the beam assembly 2 in such a way that it can be transported back and forth towards both outer ends 15 and 16, in which the carriage 14 remains permanently in contact with guiding provisions 22 on the beam assembly 2.

[0038] Since the beam assembly 2 comprises two or more beam elements (in the example 2a and 2b), which are able to telescope into and out of each other, the carriage 14 is split up in a same number of parts 14a and 14b which are each specifically adapted to the design and dimensions of a respective beam element 2a, 2b. During a crossing of the distance between the beam's proximal outer end 15 and the beam's distal outer end 16, the first carriage part 14a, when passing a transition between the two beam elements 2a and 2b, in the given example, connects with a second carriage part 14b, that specifically is adapted to the design and dimensions of the subsequent beam element 2b. During a movement in the opposite direction, the respective second carriage part 14b shall, on the contrary, disconnect from the first carriage part 14a to give this first carriage part 14a the opportunity to properly function as transportation provision that corresponds to the design and dimensions of the beam element 2a that in the given direction lies in the continuation of the course in order to take care of the guiding of the carriage part 14a.

[0039] On the first beam element 2a first drive provisions with control means 10 are provided for driving and controlling the movements of the respective telescopic beam elements 2a, 2b relative to each other. In the example a winch system is shown, but many other means and systems from practice are possible and usable.

[0040] Second drive provisions with control means 10′ are provided for controlled movement of the carriage 14 over the entire distance between both beam's proximal and distal outer ends 15, 16. In the shown example for this a winch 17, cable 18 and reverse pulley 19 are provided. Other drive means are also possible.

[0041] On the transportation carriage part 14a adjustment means 21, like a controllable cylinder drive, are provided for being able to adjust a support of the cargo and persons 20 to be transported independent of the angle of orientation of the supporting beam elements 2a, 2b.

[0042] The use of the described invention is not limited to the use of transporting persons and cargo towards and away from stationary constructions placed at sea, but can also be used in every other situation in which persons and cargo need to be transferred or taken over from a vessel towards another body in which both objects are moving relative to each other.

[0043] The shown drive means must be seen as examples since many other systems are also possible without affecting the essence of the invention.

[0044] FIG. 2 shows as example the situation in which the contact element 11 on the distal outer end 16 of the beam assembly 2 is brought into contact with the landing provision 13 on the wind turbine 12.

[0045] FIG. 3 shows as example the situation in which the first carriage part 14a, after having been brought towards the respective position by means of the drive system 17, 18, 19, that has been installed for that purpose, has connected itself with the second carriage part 14b for together forming the assembled transportation carriage 14. In the case of a plurality of beam elements and a plurality of respective carriage parts, the assembled transportation carriage 14 shall comprise a corresponding number of carriage elements.

[0046] FIG. 4 shows the situation in which the transportation carriage 14 has been brought by the drive system 17, 18, 19, that has been installed for that purpose, towards the outer end 16 of the beam assembly 2. See also FIG. 16.

[0047] A movement in the opposite direction of the beam's distal outer end 16 towards the beam's proximal outer end 15 takes place along the same principles but then in the opposite order.

[0048] In the embodiment as shown in FIG. 1-4 the vessel 1 is provided with a dynamic positioning system which is designed to have the vessel 1 substantially maintain its position at sea relative to the wind turbine 12. The first drive provisions with control means 10 then can be driven and controlled such that the distal outer end 16 of the beam assembly 2 constantly has a tendency to telescopingly extend and thus maintain a slanting upwards directed pushing force PF1 against the landing provision 12. The second beam element 2b of the beam assembly 2 then as it were gets pre-tensioned like a spring to try to slide out of the first beam element 2a in the direction of the landing provision 12. This force gets counteracted by the vessel 1 getting substantially kept in place by means of the dynamical positioning system. Thus a permanent pre-tensioned contact can be obtained between the beam assembly 2 of the transfer installation and the landing provision 12 of the wind turbine 13, which pre-tension still makes it possible for the beam assembly 2 to retract and extend as soon as this is necessary for compensations of movements of the vessel 1 relative to the wind turbine 13, like up and down movements with the waves as well as heave, roll and pitch movements that the vessel has to undergo despite its being dynamically positioned.

[0049] In FIG. 5 a CTV-type of vessel 1 with a similar type of transfer installation is shown as in FIG. 1-4. Similar components have therefore been given same reference numerals. The CTV-type of vessel 1 has a bow 50 that is specifically designed to get landed against two spaced apart bumpers 51 that are mounted on the wind turbine 12. This is shown in FIG. 6. A motor of the vessel 1 can then be operated to have the bow 50 constantly exerting a forward directed pushing force PF2 against the bumpers 51, irrespective of waves, wind and the like acting upon the vessel 1.

[0050] Subsequently the distal end 16 of the beam assembly 2 can be pointed towards the landing provision 13, here formed by a landing platform, by having the beam assembly 2 rotate around its y-axle 5 by means of the hydraulically operable luffing piston-cylinder drive 8b. This is shown in FIG. 7.

[0051] Simultaneously with the luffing and/or thereafter the beam assembly 2 can be further manoeuvred towards the landing provision 13 by telescopingly extending the beam assembly 2. This is continued until the distal outer end 16 has gotten to lie with a right-angled hook portion 52 against a lower corner edge 53 of the landing provision 13. This is shown in FIG. 8. The drive provisions with control means 10 can then again be operated to have the distal outer end 16 of the beam assembly 2 constantly exert the certain minimum pushing force PF1 against the lower corner edge 53 of the landing provision 12. This force here gets counteracted by the vessel 1 getting substantially kept in place by means of the pushing force PF2 against the bumpers 51. Thus also a permanent pre-tensioned contact can be obtained between the beam assembly 2 of the transfer installation and the landing provision 12 of the wind turbine 13, which pre-tension still makes it possible for the beam assembly 2 to retract and extend as soon as this is necessary for compensations of movements of the vessel 1 relative to the wind turbine 13, like up and down sliding movements with the waves along the bumpers 51 as well as heave, roll and pitch movements of the vessel 1.

[0052] In FIG. 8 it can also be seen that the first carriage part 14a now has a cage-like support 55 mounted on top of it. This assembly is ready and waiting at the proximal outer end 15 of the first beam element 2a for persons and cargo to take place or be placed on and in the support 55. Subsequently the first carriage part 14a can be moved along and over the first beam element 2a. With this four sets of upper and lower rollers 56 stably encompass sideways projecting flanges 57 of the guiding provisions. See also FIG. 9.

[0053] The second carriage part 14b like in the FIG. 1-4 embodiment is formed as a slideable sleeve organ that is equipped with a fully complementary cross-sectional shape as the first beam element 2a and that is slidable along and over the second beam element 2b.

[0054] As soon as the first carriage part 14a reaches this second carriage part 14b it rolls along until it gets to rest fully on top of it. In that position the four sets of upper and lower rollers 56 stably encompass sideways projecting flanges 57′ of the second carriage 14b, while at a same time the first carriage part 14a gets blocked with its front side against a limitation wall 58 (see FIG. 16) that is provided at a front side of the second carriage part 14b.

[0055] As can be seen in FIG. 9 a further moving forward of the first carriage part 14a then automatically results in the second carriage part 14b getting pulled along. This is continued until the thus assembled carriage 14 reaches the distal outer end 16. In that end position the cage-like support 55 lies proximate to or against a railing of the landing platform. The person then can easily step over from the support 55 onto the landing platform. See FIG. 10.

[0056] As soon as scheduled working activities on the wind turbine 13 are finished, the person can step back onto the support 55 again and be safely moved back along the beam assembly 2 towards the vessel 1 again. See FIG. 11. Subsequently the beam assembly 2 can be retracted and stored on the vessel's deck and the vessel 1 can sail away towards another offshore construction that needs to be visited for maintenance purposes or the like.

[0057] In FIGS. 12 and 13 a variant is shown of the cage-like support respectively in a lower and upper position along the beam assembly 2. Both of them are provided with a center support portion 120 that rests on top of the first carriage part 14a and side support portions 121, 122 that hang downwardly at opposing sides of the beam assembly 2. Thus it is advantageously possible to transport more than one person at a time along and over the beam assembly 2. In FIG. 13 it can be seen that the landing provision 12 here, like in the FIG. 1-4 embodiment, comprises a U-profile inside which the contact element 11 can fit with some play. The guiding provisions in this variant are formed by upper and lower surface portions of the first beam element 2a and of the second carriage element 14b along and against which upper and lower friction reducing guiding organs of the first carriage part 14a are guided.

[0058] In FIGS. 14 and 15 a variant is shown which also is designed to offer space for more than one person and/or a plurality of cargo elements. In FIG. 14 it can be seen that at the position of the proximal outer end 15 of the beam assembly 2, a semi-circular platform 140 is provided which makes it possible for the carriage part 14a with its support portions 120-122 to easily be loaded and unloaded for various rotational positions of the beam assembly around its pedestal, that is to say around the z-axis.

[0059] FIG. 16 shows the second drive provisions with control means 10′ for controlled movement of the first carriage part 14a over and along the beam assembly 2 in more detail. It can be seen there that the cable 18 is connected with one end to a front portion of the first carriage part 14a and with its outer end to a back portion of the first carriage part 14a. Furthermore the cable 18 is guided over the reverse pulley 19 at the distal outer end 16 as well as over the winch 17 at the proximal outer end 15. Driving of the winch 17, for example by means of an electromotor, in a clockwise direction then shall result in the first carriage part 14a getting pulled towards the distal outer end 16, whereas in a counter-clockwise direction then shall result in the first carriage part 14a getting pulled towards the proximal outer end 15.

[0060] FIG. 17 shows a variant in which one and the same carriage 14 can be guided along and over both the beam elements 2a, 2b. The beam element 2a now is provided without an upper wall. At its upper side it however still comprises the two sideways projecting flanges 57 that still get encompassed by the primary sets of upper and lower rollers 56 for guiding the carriage 14 along and over the first beam element 2a. The second beam element 2b is guided inside the first beam element 2a to slide into and out of it in the longitudinal direction L. With this the second beam element 2b at its side walls is provided with outwardly projecting flange parts 172 that are slidably guided in between inwardly projecting flange parts 173 of the first beam element 2a. Furthermore the second beam element is provided with a central slit 174 that extends in the longitudinal direction L in its upper wall. This slit 174 is delimited by inwardly projecting flanges 175 of the upper wall. Secondary sets of upper and lower rollers 177 that are provided at central positions at the front and back sides of the carriage 14. Those secondary sets of upper and lower rollers 177 encompass the inwardly projecting flanges 175 of the second beam element 2b for guiding the carriage 14 along and over the second beam element 2a. Thus also a smooth bump free moving of the carriage 14 over and along the entire beam assembly 2 is possible, including at the possibly constantly displacing transition between the telescoping beam elements 2a, 2b.

[0061] FIG. 18 shows a variant in which again one and the same carriage 14 can be guided along and over both the beam elements 2a, 2b, and this time with only primary sets of upper and lower rollers. The beam element 2a again is provided without an upper wall and at its upper side comprises the two sideways projecting flanges 57 that still get encompassed by the primary sets of upper and lower rollers 56 for guiding the carriage 14 along and over the first beam element 2a. The second beam element 2b here also is guided inside the first beam element 2a to slide into and out of it in the longitudinal direction L by means of the outwardly projecting flange parts 172 of the second beam element 2b sliding with a form fit inside the inwardly projecting flange parts 173 of the first beam element 2a. This time however the second beam element 2b is also provided without an upper wall and at its upper side merely comprises outwardly projecting flanges 185. The flanges 57 and 185 are dimensioned with same widths with the flanges 185 sliding on top of the flanges 57. The outwardly projecting flanges 185 thus are also encompassable by the primary sets of upper and lower rollers 56 for guiding the carriage 14 along and over the first beam element 2a. If desired the rollers 56 can be biased towards the flanges 57, 185. In order to here also provide for a smooth and substantially bump free moving of the carriage 14 over and along the entire beam assembly 2 the flanges 185 at their starting ends are shaped like gradually increasing ramps 186. Thus advantageously only primary sets of rollers 56 are necessary for guiding the one-part carriage 14 both along the first and second beam element 2a, 2b.

[0062] Besides the shown embodiments various variants are possible. For example other types of drive provisions are possible, like electromotors. It is also possible to have the support connected to the carriage in a fixed position that has the support substantially horizontally orientated for average angles of inclination of the beam assembly. This is for example possible for visiting offshore constructions that all have their landing provision at similar heights. It is however also possible to constantly measure the angle of inclination of the beam assembly and constantly have the position of the support relative to the carriage corrected correspondingly. Instead of having the beam assembly constantly exerting a pushing force against the landing provision as long as contact between them is desired, it is also possible to have the distal end of the beam assembly releasably coupled to the landing provision. As soon as this is done the beam assembly can be set free to rotate around its x-, y- and z-axles as well as to freely extend and retract in its longitudinal direction while keeping the vessel substantially in place for example by means of the dynamic positioning, anchoring, or landing/mooring against the offshore construction itself.

[0063] Thus the invention provides a user-friendly and truly lightweight transfer installation for installation on a vessel with which persons and cargo in one go can quickly and safely be transferred to and from all kinds of offshore constructions without any effort from those persons themselves during the transfer.