Transfer system, ship and method for transferring persons and/or goods to and/or from a floating ship

Abstract

A transfer system, ship and method for transferring persons and/or goods to and/or from a floating ship (102). The transfer system according to the invention comprises: a pedestal (114); an integrated gangway boom crane (104) connected to the pedestal; and an actuator (122) acting between the pedestal (114) and the integrated gangway boom crane (104) configured for rotating the integrated gangway boom crane relative to the pedestal.

Claims

1. Transfer system for transferring persons and/or goods from and/or to a floating ship to and/or from a structure, comprising: a pedestal; an integrated gangway boom crane connected to the pedestal; and an actuator acting between the pedestal and the integrated gangway boom crane configured for rotating the integrated gangway boom crane relative to the pedestal, wherein the integrated gangway boom crane comprises a base frame and is rotatable around a substantially vertical axis relative to the pedestal, and wherein the integrated gangway boom crane comprises an actuator in communication with vertical displacement compensation means between the pedestal and the structure.

2. Transfer system according to claim 1, further comprising a hoist system that is integrally coupled to the gangway boom crane.

3. Transfer system according to claim 1, wherein the integrated gangway boom crane comprises at least two telescopic parts.

4. Transfer system according to claim 3, wherein the integrated gangway boom crane comprises locking and/or clamping means for locking and/or clamping the telescopic parts when in use.

5. Transfer system according to claim 1, wherein the integrated gangway boom crane comprises an auxiliary boom.

6. Transfer system according to claim 5, wherein the auxiliary boom comprises a first hinge enabling rotation around a substantial horizontal axis.

7. Transfer system according to claim 6, wherein the auxiliary boom comprises a second hinge enabling rotation around a substantial vertical axis.

8. Transfer system according to claim 7, wherein the auxiliary boom comprises at least two telescopic parts.

9. Transfer system according to claim 1, further comprising an auxiliary hoist system.

10. Transfer system according to claim 1, wherein the integrated gangway boom crane further comprising a umbilical for transfer of media fluids.

11. Transfer system according to claim 1, the system further comprising connecting means for connecting the system to the structure.

12. Transfer system according to claim 1, wherein the integrated gangway boom crane comprises supporting means for supporting the telescopic gangway after connecting to an accessible unit.

13. Transfer system according to claim 1, wherein the integrated gangway boom crane comprises a wireline for connection to the accessible unit.

14. Transfer system according to claim 1, further comprising a power supply integrated into a housing of the transfer system.

15. Transfer system according to claim 1, wherein the actuator is configured to enable rotation of the integrated gangway relative to the pedestal around a substantial horizontal axis with an angle in a range of 25 to +30 relative to a horizontal.

16. Ship provided with a transfer system of claim 1.

17. Method for transferring persons and/or goods from and/or to a floating ship, wherein the floating ship comprises a transfer system according to claim 1.

18. Transfer system for transferring persons and/or goods from and/or to a floating ship to and/or from a structure, comprising: a pedestal; an integrated gangway boom crane connected to the pedestal; and an actuator acting between the pedestal and the integrated gangway boom crane configured for rotating the integrated gangway boom crane relative to the pedestal, wherein the integrated gangway boom crane comprises at least one actuator configured to provide vertical displacement compensation between the pedestal and the structure.

19. Transfer system for transferring persons and/or goods from and/or to a floating ship, comprising: a pedestal; an integrated gangway boom crane connected to the pedestal; and an actuator acting between the pedestal and the integrated gangway boom crane configured for rotating the integrated gangway boom crane relative to the pedestal, wherein the actuator is configured for vertical displacement compensation.

20. Transfer system for transferring persons and/or goods from and/or to a floating ship, comprising: a pedestal; an integrated gangway boom crane connected to the pedestal; and an actuator acting between the pedestal and the integrated gangway boom crane configured for rotating the integrated gangway boom crane relative to the pedestal, and wherein the actuator is configured for vertical displacement compensation, and wherein the actuator is configured to enable rotation of the integrated gangway relative to the pedestal around a substantial horizontal axis with an angle in a range of 25 to +30 relative to a horizontal.

Description

(1) Further advantages, features and details of the invention are elucidated on basis of preferred embodiments thereof, wherein reference is made to the accompanying drawings wherein:

(2) FIGS. 1-6 show a vessel provided with a transfer system according to the prior art;

(3) FIG. 7 shows a vessel provided with a transfer system according to the invention.

(4) FIG. 8 shows a gangway; and

(5) FIG. 9 A-F shows details of the gangway of FIG. 8.

(6) Vessel 2 (FIG. 1) is provided with deck 4 on which pedestal 6 is provided. Pedestal 6 comprises telescopic boom crane (TBC) 8 and Telescopic Gangway (TGW) 10. TBC 8 and TGW 10 are both connected to pedestal 6 with separate axes 12, 14 respectively, enabling rotation around substantially a horizontal axis. Pedestal 6 comprises rotating means 16 enabling rotation around a substantially vertical axis 18. TBC 8 comprises a telescopic boom 20 with hoist 22. TGW 10 comprises a telescopic gangway 24 that is provided with supporting means 26. The Telescopic Access Bridge & Crane (TABC) 28 (FIG. 2) enables transfer of people and/or goods over water 30, for example.

(7) Telescopic boom 20 comprises stationary part 32 (FIG. 3) and extendable part 34 that are manipulated with cylinder 36 controlling the angle relative to axis 12. Telescopic gangway 24 comprises stationary part 37 and extendable part 38. When positioning TGW 8 hoist 22 connects TGW 10 to TBC 8. Optionally, cylinder 40 or other connecting means controls the angle relative to axis 14.

(8) Controller 42 controls the movement of TBC 8 and TGW 10, for example by controlling cylinder 36 and hoist 22.

(9) An alternative system according to the invention relates to Telescoping Access Bridge & Crane (TABC) 56 (FIGS. 4-6). System 56 has similar components as described for Telescopic Access Bridge & Crane (TABC) 28 and only relevant different and/or additional features will be described. TGW 10 enables access to unit 60 in the connected mode.

(10) Vessel 102 (FIG. 7) is provided with gangway boom crane 104 with a hoist system 106 for transferring people and/or goods 108 from the vessel to a quay 110, for example, and vice versa at sea 112. Crane 104 comprises a pedestal or stationary part 114 with cabin 116. In the illustrated embodiment cabin 116 is provided with controller 115 that also controls compensation means 117 for compensating waves in water 112, for example.

(11) The gangway boom 118 is connected via a first hinge 120 for rotation around a substantial horizontal axis in direction A to pedestal 114. In addition, gangway boom 118 is provided with rotation means 122, for example comprising a slew-bearing, for rotation of gangway boom 118 around a substantial vertical axis in a direction B.

(12) In the illustrated embodiment gangway boom 118 is provided with main telescopic part 124 and auxiliary telescopic part 126 enabling adapting the length of the boom to the needs. Telescopic parts 124, 126 are clamped together with clamping means 128 to achieve a robust and stable boom when transferring people and/or goods.

(13) Furthermore, crane 104 is provided with hoist system 106 enabling lifting and lowering goods 108 with cable 130 using guiding means 132. In the illustrated embodiment gangway boom 118 is at its free end 134 provided with auxiliary boom 136. As illustrated goods 108 can be lifted with hoist system 106 from auxiliary boom 136.

(14) Auxiliary boom 136 can be rotated around a substantial axis with hinge 152 in a direction C and, optionally, around a substantial vertical rotation axis 154 with rotation means 156 in a direction D. Furthermore, auxiliary boom 136 can be provided with telescopic parts (not shown).

(15) In the illustrated embodiment an auxiliary hoist system 138 can be provided for system 104 with cable 140 guided with guiding means 142 lifting goods 108 from the free end 134 of gangway boom 118. It will be understood that hoist system 106 and auxiliary hoist system 138 can be switched such that the main system operates from free end 134 and the auxiliary system from the auxiliary boom 136.

(16) For transport of media umbilical 144 is provided at bottom 145 of gangway boom 118. It will be understood that umbilical 144 can alternatively be provided at another location of boom 118. One of the hoist systems 106,138 may guide umbilical 144 when positioning umbilical 144 for transfer of media from or to vessel 2 and/or when removing umbilical 144 after transport has been completed.

(17) According to the invention the illustrated system 104 takes one or more, and in the illustrated embodiment all, of the following environmental and design conditions into account: Highly corrosive marine environment; Working area world wide, excluding arctic areas; Ambient temperature 20 up to +45; Structural design temperature 20; Hazardous area Safe area only; and Design life 15-25 years, for example 20 years.

(18) The illustrated telescopic gangway boom 118 is provided with Active Heave Control (AHC) system 146. Transfer system 104 comprises a standard container size box (10 ISO container size) 148 with two electrical, frequency controlled hydraulic power units 150. It will be understood that many of the above sub-systems and features are optional.

(19) The illustrated crane 106 achieves the following performances: SWL 10 t Minimal operational distance to AU 10 m Maximum operational distance to AU 30 m Operational horizontal angle (SB-PS) 30 to 30 (preferred maximum angles) Weight of system 30 t Max seastate SWL (Human Transfer, HT) 1 t SWL (Fluid media equipment 1 t comprising umbilical 144 (simultaneous operation with HT) Minimal operational distance to AU 14 m Maximum operational distance to AU 24 m Operational horizontal angle (SB-PS) 20 to 20 Weight of system 20 t.

(20) In the illustrated embodiment system 104 has a maximum SWL versus radius of 20 t at 16 meter and SWL versus maximum radius of 8 t at 23 meter. Minimum work radius Rmin is 5.5 meter and maximum work radius Rmax is 23 meter. Hook speed is in the range of 0-15 m/min on average and hook travel is about 200 m single line. Rotating is CW/CCW 1 rpm as preferred maximum. Bridge width is 1300-1700 mm, preferably about 1500 mm, retracted length 20 meter, extended length 32 meter and operational stroke S is 12 meter. Operational luffing angle is about plus and minus 15 degrees. Maximum adjusting height is 21.4 meter. The material of the crane is high grade steel. The diameter of pedestal 6 is about 2.5 meter. Maximum total length is 35 meter and the maximum height tolerance or operating height H is 16.3 meter.

(21) It will be understood that other dimensions according to the invention are also possible depending on the specific operating conditions, for example. Also, parts of the system according to the invention can be exchanged with parts illustrated for a prior art system in any of FIGS. 1-6 and/or such parts can be added to the system according to the present invention.

(22) In the disconnected mode vessel 102 moves towards accessible unit (AU), for example an offshore windmill or a quay 110. After connecting gangway 152 of gangway boom 118 to unit 110 persons P and/or goods may transfer between vessel 102 and unit 110.

(23) Transfer system 202 (FIGS. 8 and 9A-F) comprises pedestal 204, gangway 206 acting as integrated gangway boom crane that is connected to pedestal 204 with hinge 208 connected to the base frame 215 such that gangway 206 can rotate around axis 210. Pedestal 204 is preferably positioned stationary relative to the vessel. Gangway 206 can rotate around axis 212 involving a slew bearing. Actuator 214 is responsible for rotating gangway 206 around axis 210. In the illustrated embodiment actuator 214 enables rotation of the integrated gangway 206 relative to pedestal 204 over a relative large window of luffing angles, preferably in a range of 23 (lower illustration in FIG. 9F) to +27 (upper illustration in FIG. 9F), or alternatively 20 to +25. Actuator 214 is preferably provided between the base frame 215 and first part 216 of gangway 206. Preferably, the pedestal may rotate over a maximum slew angle of 360.

(24) Gangway 206 comprises first part 216 that is connected to base frame 215, and second part 218 that can be telescopically moved relative to first part 216 using drive 219 and guiding elements 220. Drive 219 may extend gangway 206 from a retracted length of about 30 m to an extended length of about 50 m. It will be understood that other lengths would also be applicable according to the invention. In the illustrated embodiment one end of second part 218 is maintained within first part 216, while the other end of second part 218 is provided with exit part 222 and rests with support 224 on surface 226 of landing zone 228.

(25) In the illustrated embodiment transfer system 202 further comprises cabin 230 and entrance door 232 in base frame 215. Entrance part 234 provides access to base frame 215 where in the illustrated embodiment the HPU is located. Access 236 can be reached using stairs of the vessel, for example.

(26) When transferring people transfer system 2 is connected to the AU by rotating gangway 206 relative to base frame 215 with actuator 214, rotating gangway 206 relative to pedestal 204, and manipulating the length of gangway 204 by driving second part 218 to the desired position with drive 219. After connecting to the AU people may access gangway 206 and transfer between the vessel and the AU.

(27) The illustrated transfer system 202 is provided with vertical displacement compensation means, preferably in connection with actuator 214, involving compensation around axis 210. Optionally, drive 219 is provided with horizontal compensation means. Also, rotatable compensation means for compensation around one or more of the axes 210, 212 are provided. Optionally, a hoist system and/or auxiliary hoist system are provided.

(28) It will be understood that components of the systems and embodiments shown can be applied to other embodiments, such as the hoist systems, umbilical, compensation means etc.

(29) The present invention is by no means limited to the above described preferred embodiments thereof. The rights sought are defined by the following claims on the scope of which many modifications can be envisaged. For example, the functionality can be further improved by enabling a so-called free float of the telescopic access bridge/gangway. This may involve the use of actuators with 0 stroke volume. Furthermore, as a safety precaution a mechanical connection can be provided between the bridge/gangway and the accessible unit such that the connection can be released when required/necessary.