Carrousel with water bearing

Abstract

The invention relates to a cable turntable assembly for use in storing and laying long lengths of pipe or cable, comprising: a rotatable turntable, a turntable support surface supporting the turntable for rotational movement, and a fluid bearing system between the rotatable turntable and the turntable support surface, the fluid bearing system comprising a pressurized fluid chamber and a sealing system comprising a sealing element extending at a circumference of the turntable to seal an annular gap at the outer circumference of the turntable.

Claims

1. A cable turntable assembly for use in storing and laying long lengths of pipe or cable, comprising: A rotatable turntable, a turntable support surface supporting the turntable for rotational movement, a fluid bearing system between the rotatable turntable and the turntable support surface, the fluid bearing system comprising a pressurized fluid chamber and a sealing system comprising a sealing element extending at a circumference of the turntable to seal an annular gap at the outer circumference of the turntable, and a watertight barrier that extends around the turntable and transverse with respect to the turntable support surface, wherein the annular gap extends between the outer circumference of the turntable and the watertight barrier.

2. The cable turntable assembly according to claim 1, wherein the pressurized fluid chamber extends over at least 80% of the perpendicular to the horizontal plane projected surface of the turntable.

3. The cable turntable assembly according to claim 1, wherein the pressurized fluid chamber is sectioned.

4. The cable turntable assembly according to claim 1, comprising an inlet for supplying pressurized fluid to the pressurized fluid chamber.

5. The cable turntable assembly according to claim 4, wherein the inlet is connected to the turntable support surface.

6. The cable turntable assembly according to claim 1, wherein the sealing element is dimensionally stable.

7. The cable turntable assembly according to claim 1, wherein the sealing system is connected to the turntable and/or the watertight barrier.

8. The cable turntable assembly according to claim 1, wherein a height of the pressurized fluid chamber is configured for accommodating deviations of the turntable support surface and the turntable.

9. The cable turntable assembly according to claim 8, wherein the height of the pressurized fluid chamber is between between about 5 cm to up to about 30 cm.

10. The cable turntable assembly according to claim 1, comprising a stop arrangement for maintaining a position of the turntable relative to the turntable support surface.

11. The cable turntable assembly according to claim 10, wherein the stop arrangement comprises a number of axially working stop elements spatially distributed along the outer circumference of the rotatable turntable, wherein the number of axially working stop elements define an active height position of the turntable when the pressurized fluid chamber is pressurized.

12. The cable turntable assembly according to claim 10, wherein the stop arrangement comprises a number of radially working stop elements spatially distributed along the outer circumference of the rotatable turntable.

13. The turntable assembly according to claim 1, wherein the sealing system comprises a spacer between the turntable support surface and the turntable

14. The cable turntable assembly according to claim 1, wherein the sealing system comprises two sealing elements operating in series.

15. The cable turntable assembly according to claim 1, comprising a driving system for rotating the turntable, wherein the driving system comprises a driving wheel.

16. The cable turntable assembly according to claim 1, comprising a bearing fluid recirculating system.

17. A vessel comprising a cable turntable assembly according to claim 1.

18. The vessel according to claim 17, wherein the turntable support surface comprises a deck of the vessel.

Description

SHORT DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0036] The present invention will be discussed in more detail below, with reference to the attached schematic drawings, in which

[0037] FIG. 1 shows in perspective view a cable turntable assembly according to the invention,

[0038] FIG. 2 is detail of FIG. 1;

[0039] FIG. 3 is a side view of the cable turntable assembly of FIG. 1;

[0040] FIG. 4 detail of an embodiment of the sealing system;

[0041] FIG. 5a-c possible arrangements of sealing element(s); and

[0042] FIG. 6 a vessel comprising a cable turntable assembly according to the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0043] FIG. 1 shows in perspective view a cable turntable assembly 1. The cable turntable assembly 1 is configured for use in storing and laying long lengths of pipe or cable (not shown).

[0044] The cable turntable assembly 1 comprises a rotatable turntable 2. The turntable 2 has an accommodation 24 to store cable or pipe in a wound up state. The turntable 2 has a bottom member 25. The bottom member 25 is water tight.

[0045] The cable turntable assembly 1 comprises a turntable support surface 3. The turntable support surface 3 supports the turntable 2 for rotational movement. The turntable support surface 3 supports the turntable 2 for rotational movement around the vertical. Here, the turntable support surface 3 is a deck of a vessel.

[0046] The cable turntable assembly 1 comprises a fluid bearing system #. The fluid bearing system # is arranged between the rotatable turntable 2 and the turntable support surface 3. The fluid bearing system comprises a pressurized fluid chamber 4. Here, the fluid bearing system comprises one continuous pressurized fluid chamber 4. In this case, the pressurized fluid chamber extends over about 80% of the vertical projected surface of the turntable 2. The fluid bearing system comprises a sealing system 5. The sealing system 5 comprises a sealing element 6. The sealing element 6 extends at a circumference 7 of the turntable 2. The sealing elements 6 seals an annular gap 8 between the turntable support surface 3 and the turntable 2. The sealing elements 6 contacts the bottom of the turntable 2.

[0047] FIG. 2 shows a detail of FIG. 1. It can be seen that the cable turntable assembly comprises a stop arrangement 11. The stop arrangement 11 maintains a position of the turntable relative to the turntable support surface. The stop arrangement 11 comprises a number of axially working stop elements 12. The axially working stop elements 12 are spatially distributed along the outer circumference of the rotatable turntable 2. Here, the stop elements 12 contact the turntable in a rolling manner. The turntable 2 is prevented from moving upwards by the axially working stop elements 12. The turntable 2 is prevented from moving sideways by horizontal wheels 13 secured to the deck.

[0048] The stop arrangement 11 comprises a number of radially working stop elements 13. The radially working stop elements 13 are spatially distributed along the outer circumference of the rotatable turntable 2. The turntable 2 is prevented from moving sideways by horizontal wheels mounted directly on deck. Here, the stop elements 13 contact the turntable in a rolling manner.

[0049] The cable turntable assembly comprises a driving system 16. The driving system 16 rotates the turntable 2 to unwind or wind up, in other words pay out or take in cable or pipe. Here, the driving system 16 comprises a driving wheel 17, in this case a toothed wheel.

[0050] FIG. 3 is a side view of the cable turntable assembly of FIG. 1. The fluid bearing system comprises a pressurized fluid chamber 4. Here it can be best seen that the fluid bearing system comprises one continuous pressurized fluid chamber 4. In this case, the pressurized fluid chamber extends over about 80% of the perpendicular to the horizontal plane projected surface of the turntable 2.

[0051] FIG. 4 shows a detail of an embodiment of the sealing system 5. The annular gap 8 extends between the outer circumference 7 of the turntable 2 and a watertight barrier 20. The water barrier 20 extends around the turntable 2. The water barrier extends 20 transverse with respect to the turntable support surface 3. The height of the water barrier 20 is about 1 meter compared to a height of about 4 meter of the turntable 2. FIG. 5a-c show possible arrangements of sealing element(s) between the outer circumference 7 of the turntable 2 and the watertight barrier 20. The cable turntable assembly 1 comprises an inlet 9. Pressurized fluid is supplied to the pressurized fluid chamber 4 through the inlet. Here, the inlet 9 is connected to the turntable support surface 3. The height h, referenced to with number 10, of the pressurized fluid chamber 4 is configured for accommodating deviations of the turntable support surface 3 and the turntable 2. In this case, the height of the pressurized fluid chamber is between about 5 cm to up to about 30 cm when the turntable is in its active height position as shown in FIGS. 3, 4 and 5a-c. The sealing system 5 may comprise a spacer 14. The spacer is arranged between the turntable support surface 3 and the turntable 2. The spacer 14 provides a failsafe stop for the turntable 2. Here, the sealing system 5 comprises two sealing elements 6, 15. The two sealing elements 6, 15 operate in series.

[0052] The cable turntable assembly has a bearing fluid recirculating system. A possible leakage flow 20 may leak through the sealing system 5. The sealing system 5 has a reservoir 21 to receive the leakage flow 20. The reservoir extends at the circumference of the turntable 2. The received leakage flow may be forced back to the inlet 9 of the sealing system 5. Here, a pump 23 forces the received leakage flow back to the pressurized fluid chamber 4 through a conduit 22.

[0053] The fluid bearing system is referenced to with number 26. The turntable support surface 3, the pressurized fluid chamber 4 and the sealing system 5 do form the fluid bearing system 26.

[0054] In FIG. 5a shows a sealing system 5. The sealing element 6 is connected to the water barrier 20.

[0055] In FIG. 5b shows a sealing system 5. The sealing element 6 is connected to the turntable 2.

[0056] In FIG. 5c shows a sealing system 5. The sealing element 6a is connected to the water barrier 20. The sealing element 6b is connected to the turntable 2.

[0057] FIG. 6 shows a vessel 18 comprising a cable turntable assembly 1 according to the invention. The turntable support surface comprises a deck 19 of the vessel 18. The turntable 2 is rotatable about its central vertical axis 27.

[0058] The present invention has been described above with reference to a number of exemplary embodiments as shown in the drawings. Modifications and alternative implementations of some parts or elements are possible, and are included in the scope of protection as defined in the appended claims.