Abstract
A moonpool work table able to provide an opening to a moonpool including a first set of opposing table doors having opposing vertical faces and moveable between an open position and one or more closed positions, and a second set of opposing table doors moveable between an open position and one or more closed positions in a transverse direction to that of the first set of table doors. In this way, the first and second set of table doors are able to define a box that can more closely and tightly define the area or envelope through which a conduit or the like can pass.
Claims
1. A moonpool work table providing an opening to a moonpool comprising a first set of opposing table doors having opposing vertical faces and moveable between an open position and one or more closed positions, and a second set of opposing table doors moveable between an open position and one or more closed positions in a transverse direction to that of the first set of table doors, said moonpool work table further comprising retractable auxiliary doors moveable behind the second set of table doors to occupy a space between rear edges of the second set of table doors in a closed position and an edge of the work table.
2. A moonpool work table as claimed in claim 1 wherein each of the first set of table doors comprises a series of panels.
3. A moonpool work table as claimed in claim 2 wherein the vertical faces of the first set of table doors extend across the width of the moonpool work table.
4. A moonpool work table as claimed in claim 1, wherein the vertical faces of the first set of table doors curve inwardly towards the table doors from their top to their bottom.
5. A moonpool work table as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second set of table doors overlaps an edge of each of the first set of table doors when the first set of table doors are in a closed position.
6. A moonpool work table as claimed in claim 1, wherein each table door of the first set of table doors is moveable independently.
7. A moonpool work table as claimed in claim 1, wherein each table door of the second set of table doors is moveable independently.
8. A moonpool work table as claimed in claim 1, wherein each table door of the second set of table doors has a vertical face.
9. A moonpool work table as claimed in claim 8 the vertical faces of the second set of table doors taper outwardly from their top to their bottom.
10. A moonpool work table as claimed in claim 1, wherein each vertical face of the first set of table doors further comprises a deflector extendable from the vertical face.
11. A moonpool work table as claimed in claim 10 wherein the deflectors are equal and opposite.
12. A moonpool work table as claimed in claim 10, wherein the deflectors taper outwardly from their top to their bottom.
13. A moonpool work table as claimed in claim 10, wherein each of the deflectors is moveable independently.
14. A moonpool work table as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second set of table doors is retractable from their open position to a further open position to extend the size of the moonpool opening.
15. A vessel having a moonpool and a moonpool work table as defined in claim 1.
16. A vessel as claimed in claim 15 wherein the first set of table doors is moveable in a direction transverse to the longitudinal direction of the vessel, and the second set of table doors is moveable in the longitudinal direction of the vessel.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
(1) Embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
(2) FIG. 1 is a schematic side cross sectional view of a vessel having a reel, tower and moonpool and pipeline being laid;
(3) FIG. 2 is a top view of a prior art moonpool work table and pipeline;
(4) FIG. 3 is a perspective view of FIG. 2;
(5) FIG. 4 is a side view of a pipeline being laid through a prior art moonpool work table;
(6) FIG. 5 is a schematic perspective view of a moonpool work table according to one embodiment of the present invention in an open position;
(7) FIG. 6 corresponds to FIG. 5 with the moonpool work table in a first closed position;
(8) FIG. 7 corresponds to FIG. 5 with the moonpool work table in a second closed position;
(9) FIG. 8 corresponds to FIG. 5 with the moonpool work table in a third closed position;
(10) FIGS. 9 and 10 are top views and bottom views respectively of a moonpool work table according to an embodiment of the present invention in a closed position around a first pipeline;
(11) FIGS. 11 and 12 are top views and bottom views respectively of a moonpool work table according to an embodiment of the present invention in a closed position around a second pipeline;
(12) FIGS. 13a and 13b are bottom perspective and side cross-sectional views of a moonpool work table according to the present invention;
(13) FIG. 14 is a top perspective view of an operation of the second set of doors in relation to a pipeline;
(14) FIG. 15 is a top perspective view of an operation of retractable deflectors in relation to a pipeline;
(15) FIGS. 16 and 17 are top perspective views of retractable auxiliary doors useable in a moonpool work table of the present invention;
(16) FIG. 18 is perspective enlarged view of a retractable deflector in an extended position of a first table door;
(17) FIG. 19 is a top cross sectional view of the retractable deflector of FIG. 18 in a closed position with a first table door; and
(18) FIG. 20 is a top perspective view of a moonpool work table according to another embodiment of the present invention with adapted second doors.
DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
(19) Referring to the drawings, FIG. 1 shows a vessel 10 generally being a sea going vessel in a sea 11. The vessel 10 has a moonpool 12 extending between a general work deck or surface and the bottom of the vessel 10, through which a pipeline 16 extends. The pipeline 16 is provided by a reel 22 and passes down through guide means 20 on a tower 18 next to the moonpool 12. The moonpool 12 has a moonpool work table 14 based on two doors.
(20) FIG. 2 shows a prior art moonpool work table 14 having a first door 14a and second door 14b. Each of the doors 14a,b has three sections, generally a middle section and two outer sections. FIG. 2 shows the pipeline 16 and the two outer sections of the second table door 14b having extendable supports 24. The space between the front opposing edges of the first and second doors 14a,b can be defined as the opening 26 or envelope of the moonpool 12, below which is the sea 11.
(21) FIG. 3 is a more detailed and top perspective view of FIG. 2 which shows the pipeline 16 being held in place by the supports 24 and against the vertical face of one section of the second table door 14b. The pipeline 16 is supported by a chain and end fitting 28.
(22) As can be seen from FIG. 3 there is no control in the trajectory of the pipeline 16 if the pipeline 16 escapes out of the area between by the supports 24. Currently, crude manual methods are required to retrieve the pipeline 16 back into its intended trajectory through the moonpool work table 14. Secondly, there are a lot of sharp edges as shown in FIG. 3 which could harm the pipeline 16 in any significant contact. Lastly, to attach any fitting to the pipeline 16, and in particular an intermediate fitting such as a buoyancy module, generally having a diameter greater than that of the pipeline 16, several operations are required where the pipeline has to be captured and released to pass the fitting through the moonpool. With moonpool doors of a conventional arrangement, once the pipeline 16 escapes from the intended envelope provided by the supports 24, realignment is required as well as the risk of damage to the pipeline 16 as discussed above.
(23) FIG. 4 shows an example of a pipeline 16 required to have a trajectory through the moonpool 12 that is not vertical. Laying and recovery of conduits in the offshore industry commonly requires a pipeline trajectory to be not vertical to account for many factors in the laying or recovery operation. Whilst guide means 20 in a tower 18 above the moonpool 12 provides some trajectory alignment, such an alignment also needs to be obtained through the moonpool 12, and is therefore intended to be provided by working out best positioning of the moonpool work table, in particular the opposing doors 14. Using a conventional moonpool work table makes this difficult.
(24) FIG. 5 is a top perspective schematic view of a moonpool work table 30 according to one embodiment of the present invention. The work table 30 comprises a first set of opposing table doors 32a, 32b, each having a vertical face (only one vertical face 34b shown in FIG. 5) which extends downwardly from a front opposing edge of the relevant table door 32a,b of the first set downwardly.
(25) FIG. 5 also shows a second set opposing table doors 36a, 36b. In one alternative arrangement, the second set of table doors 36a,b are retractable from their open position as shown in FIG. 5 to overlap more with the first set of table doors 36a,b, thereby to increase the size of the opening 38 thereinbetween.
(26) The first and second sets of table doors 32a,b, 36a,b are both in an open position, and are wholly or substantially flush or co-planar with the general surface of the deck 31 of a vessel having the moonpool below the moonpool work table 30. As such, the area or space between the horizontal edges of the first and second sets of table doors 32a,b, 36a,b provide the opening 38 through which a conduit can pass into the moonpool. Naturally, it is intended that the opening 38 provides sufficient space for the passage of all expected conduits and fittings to be provided therethrough. FIG. 5 shows a pipeline 46 is a nominal conduit.
(27) FIG. 6 is a first development of the moonpool work table 30 shown in FIG. 5, wherein the first set of opposing table doors 32a,b move between the open position as shown in FIG. 5, and a first closed position as shown in FIG. 6. Optionally, each table door of the first set of table doors 32a,b comprises two or more panels, and at least one of said panels is moveable between an open position, optionally in a retracted alignment with one or more other panels, and an extended position able to provide one or more closed positions for the table doors. FIG. 6 shows an embodiment of this arrangement, wherein each table door of the first set of able doors 32a,b has an extending panel 40a,b respectively which has telescopically extended forwardly towards the other table door 32a,b to reduce the size of the opening 38 to a first reduced opening 38a. In this way, a part or panel of the first set of table doors 32a,b remain stationary whilst being able to house one or more extending panels able to provide at least the closed position of the first set of table doors 32a,b.
(28) Optionally, each table door of the first set of able doors 32a,b and/or each and every extending panel 40a,b can operate independently, such that they can be guided to a closed position around a non-central and/or non-vertical conduit 46.
(29) FIG. 7 shows a further development of the moonpool work table 32 operation of FIG. 6, wherein the table doors of the second set of table doors 36a,b move from their open position as shown FIG. 5 to a first closed position as shown in FIG. 7. Such movement is in a transverse direction to that of the movement of the first set of table doors 32a, b as shown in FIG. 6.
(30) Optionally, each table door of the second set of table doors 36a,b can operate independently, such that they can be guided to a closed position around a non-central and/or non-vertical conduit 46.
(31) Apparatus, devices, etc. such as actuators, able to provide the movement of the table doors, are not shown in the Figures herewith, but are well known to the person skilled in the art. Such actuators include hydraulic actuators and ram and piston arrangements, able to provide the required controlled movement of the table doors as required by a user.
(32) FIG. 6 shows an arrangement whereby the second set of table doors 36a,b overlap an edge of each of the first set of table doors 32a,b or at least a portion thereof being the extended panels 40a,b when the first set of table doors 32a,b are in their closed position as shown in FIG. 6.
(33) Thus, FIG. 7 shows movement of the second set of table doors 36a,b along the forward edges of the first set of table doors 32a,b or more particularly, along the forward edges of both the extended panels 40a, b. Optionally, the relevant edges of the second set of table doors 36a, b have complementary, in particular mating, surfaces to match those of the first set of table doors 32a,b.
(34) FIG. 7 shows the movement of the first and second set of table doors 36a,b from their open positions to at least a first closed position to have provided a further reduced opening 38b thereinbetween, and to be in close alignment with the conduit 46 as described in more detail below.
(35) FIG. 8 shows a further development of the arrangement shown in FIGS. 5-7 wherein each vertical face, 34a,b of the first set of table doors 32a,b further comprises a deflector 42 extendable from the vertical face 34a,b. The deflectors 42 extend to engage the surface of the conduit 46.
(36) FIG. 9 is a top view of the close or constricted arrangement shown in FIG. 8 whereby the conduit 46 is clearly engaged with the deflectors 42 and the front edges of the second set of table doors 36a,b. The arrangement of the first set of table doors 32a,b, and optionally the deflectors 42 as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, and the second set of table doors 36a,b, provide a close deflector box. That is, an area or space constricted by the front edges of the table doors, or any extendable part thereof, so as to box in the pipe and protect it from damage, whilst providing the relevant constraints needed. In addition, the deflector box is able to provide control over any non-central and/or non-vertical alignment necessary or desired as discussed in more detail below.
(37) FIG. 10 shows a bottom perspective view of the arrangement of FIG. 8 with an element of perspective. FIG. 10 shows each table door of the second of table doors 36a,b having a vertical face 44a,b respectively extending downwardly into the moonpool in the same manner as the vertical faces 34a,b of the first set of table doors 32a,b.
(38) It can be seen that the present invention is able to move the first and second of table doors 32a,b, 36a,b into any number of closed positions that provide constriction, generally with minimum spacing, around the conduit passing through the moonpool table. During the passage of the conduit through the moonpool table, there will generally be one closed position to suit the pipeline diameter.
(39) FIGS. 11 and 12 show a similar arrangement to that in FIGS. 9 and 10 for the application of the moonpool work table 30 around a second conduit 50 being thinner or smaller than the first conduit 46 as shown in drawings 7-10. As shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, the deflectors 42 are extended further and the edges of the second set of table doors 36a,b are closer, such that in the same way, a deflector box is provided by the edges of the deflectors and doors, but the deflector box provided is smaller.
(40) FIG. 13a is an bottom perspective view of most of the moonpool work table 30, showing the co-operation and meeting of the vertical faces 34a,b (of the first set of table doors 32a,b not shown), and the second set of table doors 36a,b each having a vertical face 44a,b, and the deflectors 42 extended from the vertical faces 34a,b. No conduit or pipeline is shown in FIG. 13a to assist clarity.
(41) FIG. 13b shows a cross sectional side view of the downward relationship between the vertical faces 34a,b and one second door 36b and its depending vertical face 44b.
(42) FIGS. 13a and b together show the arrangement of the vertical faces 34a,b curving inwardly towards the table doors 32a,b from their top to their bottom; and wherein vertical faces 44a,b of the second set of table doors 36a,b taper outwardly from their top to their bottom. FIG. 13a also shows wherein the deflectors 42 are equal and opposite, and taper outwardly from their top to their bottom. Where the nature of the curvature and tapering of these vertical faces and deflectors are sufficiently complementary, they can provide a downwardly opening funnel arrangement thereinbetween which has no sharp edges and which can continue any non-vertical guidance or alignment of a conduit therethrough.
(43) The present invention is not limited by the nature of the conduit to pass through the moonpool work table. Preferably, the present invention is able to work with a conduit or product having an outer diameter within at least the range of 100 mm-1000 mm, such as in the range 114 mm to 800 mm. The present invention is also designed to accommodate any conventional expected non-vertical alignment of a conduit therethrough, such being up to or beyond 9? from a vertical axis.
(44) FIG. 14 shows a conduit 52 passing through the moonpool work table 30 having a non-vertical alignment. For this, the second set of table doors 36a,b can be operated independently such that one such table door can be moved to assist the desired trajectory of the pipeline 52. Further operation of the deflectors 42 around the non-vertical pipeline 52 is shown in FIG. 15, where the deflectors 42 can again be operated independently of each other so as to provide a non-central direction for the pipeline 52 through the moonpool work table 30.
(45) In particular, movement of the table doors and any deflectors in an independent manner allows the present invention extensive operational ability to achieve a desired moonpool and laying trajectory whilst still providing a tight and easily governable deflector box around the conduit. In this way, the conduit catenary can adapt to its natural deviation (off lead), whilst still within the projected area of the vertical faces and deflectors of the moonpool work table.
(46) FIG. 16 shows the moonpool work table 30 further comprising retractable auxiliary doors 54, preferably housed when not required under the deck 31. As the second set of table doors 36a,b move from their open position to a closed position, such as shown in FIG. 16, the auxiliary doors 54 are movable behind the second set of table doors 36a,b to occupy the space between the second set of table doors 36a,b in their closed position and an edge of the work table 30 as shown in FIG. 17. In this way, the working surface of the moonpool work table 30 is increased, and undesired gaps between the first set of table doors 32a,b have been covered by the auxiliary doors 54 for the avoidance of accidents, etc. Retraction of the auxiliary doors 54 when desired to open the second set of table doors 36a,b can be carried out in reverse manner.
(47) FIG. 18 shows a perspective view of a deflector 43 in more detail, and in particular its tapering from its top to its bottom. As also shown in FIG. 19, the deflector 42 is intended to fit closely or snuggly within the vertical face 34b of a first table door 32b in its retracted position, so as to reduce or avoid any sharp edges.
(48) FIG. 20 shows a further embodiment of the present invention, wherein the front portion of each door of the second set of table doors 36a,b have been shaped to include a C-collar which is useable with a flex hang off.
(49) Various modifications and variations to the described embodiments of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention as defined herein. Although the invention has been described in connection with specific preferred embodiments it should be understood that the invention as defined herein should not be unduly limited to such specific embodiments.
