Ladder system for offshore service vessel adapted to transfer persons between said service vessel and offshore structure under sea wave motion conditions

Abstract

The invention relates to a gangway system (1) for an offshore service vessel (N) adapted to transfer persons between said service vessel and an offshore structure (S) under sea wave motion conditions. The gangway system (1) comprises a telescopic corridor (7) having an upstream portion (71) and a downstream portion (72), the downstream portion (72) being translationally movable relative to the upstream portion (71). The gangway ladder system (1) further comprises means for actuating the gangway ladder (5), in particular a yaw actuation means (11), a pitch actuation means (12) and a translation actuation means (13). The handling means (10) cooperate with the control means (15) in order to stabilize, preferably rest, the downstream end (722) of the gangway ladder (5) on the offshore structure (S).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of a gangway system for an offshore service vessel, suitable for transferring personnel between the service vessel and an offshore structure under wave motion conditions. Background Art

[0002] Some offshore operations require the use of offshore service vessels.

[0003] Offshore service vessels are specifically designed to provide logistical support for offshore operations, including the transfer of personnel to and from various offshore structures (e.g., offshore platforms or offshore wind turbines).

[0004] Gangway systems play a vital role in ensuring the safe transfer of personnel between service vessels and offshore structures, including in wave motion conditions.

[0005] These gangways play a vital role in the offshore industry, where harsh environmental conditions are common.

[0006] To enable this transfer (even in rough seas), the gangway is usually equipped with motion compensation via hydraulic maneuvers.

[0007] Typically, however, hydraulic actuators increase the mechanical complexity of the gangway system and require frequent maintenance operations.

[0008] Therefore, there is a need for technical solutions aimed at simplifying the active compensation of gangway systems and their maintenance. Summary of the Invention

[0009] In order to overcome the above-mentioned shortcomings of the prior art, the present invention proposes a gangway system for an offshore service vessel, which is suitable for transferring personnel between the service vessel and an offshore structure under wave motion conditions.

[0010] The gangway system includes:

[0011] - a tower defining a longitudinal axis and designed to be erected from the deck of said offshore service vessel,

[0012] - a carriage movable in translation along a lifting axis parallel to the longitudinal axis within the height of the tower,

[0013] - a gangway extending from said carriage,

[0014] The gangway includes:

[0015] a waiting platform assembled with the carriage by means of a rotary assembly device defining a yaw rotation axis parallel to the lifting axis, and

[0016] - a corridor extending from the waiting platform,

[0017] The retractable corridor includes:

[0018] an upstream portion, one upstream end of which cooperates with said waiting platform via a rotary assembly device defining a pitch rotation axis perpendicular to said yaw rotation axis, and

[0019] a downstream portion movable in translation relative to said upstream portion along an axis extending perpendicular to said pitch rotation axis,

[0020] The downstream portion has a downstream end designed to be stabilized at the offshore structure,

[0021] The gangway system also includes means for operating the gangway:

[0022] - a yaw control device, also called a "yaw control device" or a "yaw adjustment device", for the rotational control of the gangway around the yaw rotation axis,

[0023] - pitch control means, also called "pitch control means" or "pitch adjustment means", for rotational control of the corridor about the pitch rotation axis, and

[0024] - translational manipulation means, also called "translational control means" or "translational adjustment means", for translational manipulation of said downstream portion relative to said upstream portion along said axis of extension, and

[0025] The maneuvering means cooperate with control means comprising an active compensation module designed to control the maneuvering means of the gangway based on data from the motion acquisition module so as to stabilize the downstream end of the gangway at the offshore structure, preferably resting on the offshore structure.

[0026] According to a preferred embodiment, the operating device of the gangway comprises an electric operating device.

[0027] Other non-limiting and advantageous features of this embodiment according to the invention (taken individually or in all technically possible combinations) are as follows:

[0028] - the pitch control device comprises at least one electric winch carried by the waiting platform, and at least one traction rope extending between the electric winch and the upstream part; preferably, the at least one electric winch is carried by a cradle extending above the waiting platform, and the at least one traction rope comprises a downstream end fixed to the upstream part at a connection point above the upstream part, preferably fixed to the side of the downstream end of the upstream part; in this embodiment, the at least one electric winch is connected to the corridor carried by the waiting platform so that the at least one electric winch follows the rotational movement of the gangway; the advantage of this solution is that the angular direction between the at least one electric winch and the gangway remains consistent regardless of the angle of the corridor, which makes it possible to improve the compensation accuracy and reduce the power installed on the at least one electric winch;

[0029] - the translational maneuvering device comprises at least one electric winch carried by the upstream part, and at least one traction rope extending between the electric winch and the downstream part; preferably, the at least one electric winch is carried by the upstream part, the at least one electric winch is mounted below the upstream part, and the at least one traction rope comprises a downstream end fixed to the downstream part at a connection point mounted below the downstream part, preferably fixed to the side of the downstream end of the downstream part.

[0030] Other non-limiting and advantageous features according to the invention (taken individually or in all technically possible combinations) are as follows:

[0031] the movement acquisition module comprises a contact sensor mounted on the downstream end of the downstream portion, the contact sensor comprising at least one support member designed to bear on the offshore structure, advantageously comprising a shock-absorbing mass, and a junction extending between the support member and the downstream end of the downstream portion, the junction comprising means for detecting the movement of the at least one support member relative to the downstream end of the downstream portion, the means for detecting movement being designed to detect translational movements parallel to the axis of extension and two rotational movements, yaw and roll, perpendicular to the axis of extension;

[0032] - the tower contains a personnel lift for transferring personnel between the deck of the offshore service vessel and said gangway;

[0033] - the gangway system comprises means for operating the carriage, comprising electric maneuvering means, such as at least one electric winch carried by the tower, and at least one traction rope extending between the electric winch and the carriage;

[0034] - said waiting platform is protected within a rotonda comprising retractable side walls, following the yawing movement of said gangway, for protecting the personnel, in particular against weather conditions; preferably, the retractable side walls are opaque or perforated.

[0035] The present application also relates to a marine service vessel equipped with a gangway system according to the present application.

[0036] Of course, the various features, variants and embodiments of the present application can be combined with each other in various combinations, within the limits of compatibility or non-exclusion. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0037] Furthermore, various other features of the present application emerge from the additional description given with reference to the attached drawings, which illustrate non-limiting embodiments of the present application, in which:

[0038] Figure 1 is a general perspective view of a gangway system according to the present application;

[0039] Figure 2 is a partial schematic view of Figure 1 , designed to illustrate in particular the structure of the gangway and the way it is handled;

[0040] Figure 3 is a partial schematic view of the gangway, showing a contact sensor installed at its downstream end;

[0041] Figure 4 is also a general perspective view of a gangway system according to the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0042] It should be noted that, in these figures, the structural and / or functional elements common to the different variants can have the same reference numerals.

[0043] The present application therefore relates to a gangway system 1 for a marine service vessel N, adapted to transfer personnel ( Figure 1 and Figure 4 ) between the marine service vessel N and a marine structure S, under sea wave movement conditions.

[0044] The present application also relates to a marine service vessel N equipped with a gangway system 1 according to the present application.

[0045] By "marine service vessel", we advantageously mean a vessel specifically designed and equipped to carry out various logistical, supply, maintenance and personnel transfer tasks for a marine structure S.

[0046] The main functions of these vessels include transferring personnel, transporting goods, refuelling, and providing equipment and materials necessary for offshore activities.

[0047] Therefore, the gangway system 1 is suitable for installation on an offshore service vessel, such as an operation service vessel (also referred to as a "service operation vessel").

[0048] The "ships" we refer to are specifically ships used for wind farm service operations (also known as "wind farm service operation vessels" or "wind farm SOVs" in English).

[0049] The term “offshore structure S” includes in particular oil platforms, gas platforms or offshore wind turbines.

[0050] Offshore service vessels N, and possibly offshore structures S, are subject to wave-induced motions such as roll, pitch and yaw, which can significantly affect the stability and safety of offshore operations.

[0051] Furthermore, typically, the gangway system 1 comprises:

[0052] a tower 2 defining a longitudinal axis 2' and designed to be erected from a deck P of an offshore service vessel N,

[0053] - a carriage 3 movable in translation within the height of the tower 2 along a lifting axis E parallel to said longitudinal axis 2 ′, and

[0054] - A gangway 5 extending from the carriage 3 .

[0055] The gangway system 1 further comprises a maneuvering device 10 for maneuvering the gangway 5 , the maneuvering device 10 being particularly designed to stabilize the free end of the gangway 5 on the offshore structure S under conditions of sea motion.

[0056] tower

[0057] A gangway 5 extends from a carriage 3 which is movable along the height of the tower 2 .

[0058] According to a preferred embodiment, the tower 2 comprises a personnel lift 21 suitable for transferring between the deck P of the offshore service vessel N and the gangway 5 .

[0059] The elevator 21 is advantageously moved within the height of the tower 2 by means of an electric maneuvering device 22 , such as an electric winch located at the upper end of the tower 2 .

[0060] Typically, for example, the height of the tower 2 is between 15 and 25 meters.

[0061] Mobile (cart)

[0062] According to a preferred embodiment, the gangway system 1 comprises a steering device 31 for steering the carriage 3 .

[0063] These operating devices 31 are advantageously composed of electric operating devices 31 .

[0064] These manipulators 31 include, for example:

[0065] at least one electric winch 311 carried by the tower 2, for example at its upper end, and

[0066] At least one traction rope 312 extending between the electric winch 311 and the carriage 3 .

[0067] gangway

[0068] Typically, the gangway 5 comprises:

[0069] a waiting platform 6 , movable along a yaw rotation axis R1 parallel to said lifting axis E, and

[0070] - A corridor 7 extending from the waiting platform 6.

[0071] The waiting platform 6 is assembled with the carriage 3 by a first rotating assembly device 8 defining a yaw rotation axis R1 .

[0072] In this case, the waiting platform 6 is located above the carriage 3 .

[0073] The rotating assembly means 8 are for example composed of rolling means equipped with electric motor means (for example an electric gear motor engaged on the crown), these means being advantageously conventional in themselves.

[0074] Advantageously, a cradle 61 is mounted on top of the waiting platform 6 .

[0075] This cradle 61 advantageously follows the rotational movement of the waiting platform 6 along the yaw rotation axis R1 .

[0076] To achieve this, the hanger 61 is fixed here to the waiting platform 6 .

[0077] According to a preferred embodiment, the waiting platform 6 is protected in a rotonda 62 comprising retractable side walls 621 that follow the yawing movements of the gangway 5 .

[0078] The circular building 62 is useful for personal protection, in particular against weather conditions.

[0079] Preferably, the retractable side walls 621 are opaque or perforated. For example, they comprise roller shutters composed of a plurality of slats.

[0080] In practice, during the waiting period for the yawing movement of the platform 6 , the telescopic side walls 621 are retracted or extended so as to maintain the communication between the tower 2 and the gallery 7 .

[0081] The telescopic corridor 7 comprises:

[0082] an upstream portion 71 fixed in translation relative to the tower 2 , and

[0083] A downstream portion 72 , movable in translation relative to the aforementioned upstream portion 71 and to the tower 2 .

[0084] In other words, the downstream portion 72 is guided to translate along the length of the upstream portion 71 .

[0085] The upstream portion 71 and the downstream portion 72 cooperate by means of sliding means (eg a track / roller pair).

[0086] The upstream portion 71 and the downstream portion 72 each have two ends:

[0087] - upstream ends 711, 721 on one side of tower 2, and

[0088] - Away from the downstream end 712, 722 of the tower 2.

[0089] More specifically, Corridor 7 includes:

[0090] an upstream portion 71 , one upstream end 711 of which cooperates with the waiting platform 6 along a pitch rotation axis R2 perpendicular to said yaw rotation axis R1 , and

[0091] A downstream portion 72 movable in translation relative to the upstream portion 71 along an axis of extension A perpendicular to said pitch rotation axis R2 .

[0092] The upstream end 711 of the upstream portion 71 cooperates with the waiting platform 6 via a second rotary assembly device 9 defining a pitch rotation axis R2 .

[0093] The second rotating assembly means 9 consists, for example, of a pivot joint.

[0094] Furthermore, the downstream portion 72 comprises a downstream end 722 forming the free end of the gangway 5 designed to be stabilized on the offshore structure S.

[0095] Furthermore, the upstream portion 71 and the downstream portion 72 are advantageously generally U-shaped or tubular, having:

[0096] - lower walls 71a, 72a forming the floor on which the passengers walk,

[0097] - two side walls 71b, 72b forming a guardrail, and

[0098] - Possible upper walls 71c, 72c, for example formed by a metal frame.

[0099] Operating devices and controls

[0100] The gangway system 1 further comprises means 10 for maneuvering the gangway 5 .

[0101] In this case, these manipulators 10 comprise:

[0102] - a yaw control device 11 for rotational control of the gangway 5 around the yaw rotation axis R1,

[0103] - a pitch control device 12 for rotational control of the corridor 7 about the pitch rotation axis R2, and

[0104] Translational manipulation means 13 for the translational manipulation of the downstream portion 72 relative to the upstream portion 71 along said axis of extension A.

[0105] Preferably, the operating device 10 of the gangway 5 is composed of an electric operating device 10 .

[0106] Such an electric operating device 10 has the advantage of optimizing the active compensation of the gangway system 1 and its maintenance.

[0107] According to a preferred embodiment, the pitch control device 12 comprises:

[0108] - at least one electric winch 121 carried by the waiting platform 6, and

[0109] At least one traction rope 122 extending between the electric winch 121 and the upstream portion 71 .

[0110] Preferably, the at least one electric winch 121 is carried by a cradle 61 extending above the waiting platform 6 .

[0111] And the at least one traction rope 122 includes a downstream end 1221, which is fixed at a connection point 7121 above the upstream part 71, for example, at the upper wall 71c.

[0112] As mentioned above, the advantage of this solution is that the angular orientation between the at least one electric winch 121 and the gangway 5 is maintained regardless of the angle of the corridor 7 .

[0113] This technical solution allows improving the accuracy of compensation and reducing the power installed on the at least one electric winch 121 .

[0114] Preferably, the at least one traction rope 122 is fixed to the side of the downstream end 712 of the upstream portion 71 .

[0115] Furthermore, according to one embodiment, the translation manipulation device 13 comprises:

[0116] - at least one electric winch 131 carried by the upstream portion 71 , and

[0117] At least one traction rope 132 extending between the electric winch 121 and the downstream portion 72 .

[0118] Preferably, the at least one electric winch 131 is carried by the upstream portion 71 and mounted below the upstream portion 71 , for example at the lower wall 71 a of the upstream portion 71 .

[0119] And the at least one traction rope 132 includes a downstream end 1321, which is fixed to the connection point 7221 of the downstream part 72, and the connection point 7221 is installed below the downstream part 72 (for example, at the lower wall 72a of the downstream part 72), preferably on the side of the downstream end 722 of the downstream part 72.

[0120] The direction of rotation of the at least one electric winch 131 then causes the downstream portion 72 to move along the axis of extension A.

[0121] The manipulator 10 cooperates with a control device 15 comprising an active compensation module (active 3D compensation) designed to control the manipulator 10 of the gangway 5 based on data from a motion acquisition module 16 (forming the MRU of a "motion reference unit") so as to stabilize the downstream end 722 of the gangway 5 at the offshore structure S, preferably resting on the offshore structure S.

[0122] The control device 15 is thus configured to control the maneuvering device 10 so as to compensate for the movements of the offshore service vessel N, in particular the movements of the downstream end 722 of the downstream portion 72 , caused by the waves.

[0123] Such control means 15 thus provide for precise positioning of the downstream end 722 of the downstream portion 72 , making it possible to maintain this downstream end 722 in a constant position on the offshore structure S, preferably resting thereon.

[0124] according to Figure 3 In the preferred embodiment shown, the motion acquisition module 16 comprises a contact sensor 161 mounted on the downstream end 722 of the downstream portion 72 .

[0125] The contact sensor 161 includes:

[0126] at least one supporting member 1611 designed to bear on the offshore structure S, advantageously comprising a shock-absorbing mass (also called "buffer"), for example made of elastic material, preferably elastomeric material, and

[0127] An interface 1612 extending between the support member 1611 and the downstream end 722 of the downstream portion 72 .

[0128] The junction zone 1612 also comprises means 1613 for detecting movement of said at least one support member 1611 relative to the downstream end 722 of the downstream portion 72 .

[0129] The motion detection device 1613 is designed to detect:

[0130] - a translation movement T1 parallel to said axis of extension A, and

[0131] - Two rotational movements T2 , T3 perpendicular to said axis of extension A, in yaw and in pitch.

[0132] The motion detection device 1613 may include, for example:

[0133] - at least one LVDT (Linear Variable Differential Transformer), also known as displacement sensor with linear variable differential transformer (LVDT, meaning "Linear Variable Differential Transformer"), and / or

[0134] - At least one force sensor or load cell for measuring the applied forces in the X, Y and Z directions in a three-dimensional Cartesian coordinate system.

[0135] In particular, preferably, the at least one supporting member 1611 has two degrees of freedom relative to the joining area 1612:

[0136] - the translational degree of freedom according to the translational motion T1, and

[0137] - Translational degree of freedom according to the rotational motion T2 of yaw.

[0138] More preferably, the contact sensor 161 is rotationally movable at the downstream end 722 of the downstream portion 72 according to the rotational movement T3 of the pitch.

[0139] Preferably, the downstream end 722 of the downstream portion 72 comprises detection and positioning means 17 for its positioning at the offshore structure S (for example by means of radar and / or a camera).

[0140] Implementation Method

[0141] In practice, the offshore service vessel N is stabilized near the offshore structure S.

[0142] Then, the gangway system 1 is deployed on one side of the offshore service vessel N.

[0143] The downstream end 722 of the downstream portion 72 (in particular its contact sensor 161 ) is correctly positioned at the offshore structure S, preferably resting on the offshore structure S.

[0144] Then, the control device 15 is activated to control the maneuvering device 10 so as to compensate for the movement of the offshore service vessel N, in particular the movement of the downstream end 722 of the downstream portion 72, caused by the waves.

[0145] In particular, the control means 15 are intended to compensate for the different movements of the offshore service vessel N:

[0146] - the control device 15 controls the yaw maneuvering device 11 for the rotational maneuvering of the gangway 5 about the yaw rotation axis R1 in order to compensate for yaw and surge movements;

[0147] - control means 15 controlling the pitch maneuvering means 12 for rotational maneuvering of the corridor 7 about the pitch rotation axis R2 in order to compensate for rolling and heaving movements (preferably the height of the carriage is stable during operation), and

[0148] The control device 15 controls the translational maneuvering device 13 for translational maneuvering of the downstream portion 72 relative to the upstream portion 71 along said axis of extension A in order to compensate for yawing movements.

[0149] The operator can then move between the offshore service vessel N and the offshore structure S in complete safety.

[0150] At the end of the intervention, the gangway system 1 can be brought into a retracted configuration suitable for transport at the offshore service vessel N.

[0151] Of course, various other modifications may be made to the invention within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A gangway system (1) for an offshore service vessel (N), suitable for transferring personnel between said service vessel (N) and an offshore structure (S) under conditions of sea motion, The gangway system (1) comprises: a tower (2), said tower (2) defining a longitudinal axis (2') and said tower (2) being designed to be erected from the deck (P) of said offshore service vessel (N), - a carriage (3) movable in translation along a lifting axis (E) parallel to the longitudinal axis (2') within the height range of the tower (2), - a gangway (5), said gangway (5) extending from said carriage (3), The gangway (5) comprises: - a waiting platform (6) assembled with the carriage (3) by means of a rotary assembly device (8), the rotary assembly device (8) defining a yaw rotation axis (R1) parallel to the lifting axis (E), and - a corridor (7), said corridor (7) extending from said waiting platform (6), The telescopic corridor (7) comprises: an upstream portion (71), one upstream end (711) of which cooperates with the waiting platform (6) via a rotary assembly device (9), the rotary assembly device (9) defining a pitch rotation axis (R2) perpendicular to the yaw rotation axis (R1), and a downstream portion (72) movable in translation relative to the upstream portion (71) along an axis of extension (A) parallel to the pitch rotation axis (R2), The downstream portion (72) includes a downstream end (722) designed to be stabilized at the offshore structure (S), The gangway system (1) further comprises a manipulating device for manipulating the gangway (5), comprising: - a yaw control device (11) for rotational control of the gangway (5) about the yaw rotation axis (R1), - a pitch control device (12) for rotational control of the corridor (7) about the pitch rotation axis (R2), and - translational manipulation means (13) for translational manipulation of the downstream portion (72) relative to the upstream portion (71) along the axis of extension (A), and The manipulator (10) cooperates with a control device (15) comprising an active compensation module designed to control the manipulator (10) of the gangway (5) based on data from a motion acquisition module (16) so as to stabilize the downstream end (722) of the gangway (5) at the offshore structure (S).

2. The gangway system (1) according to claim 1, wherein: The operating device (10) of the gangway (5) comprises an electric operating device (10).

3. The gangway system (1) according to claim 2, wherein: The pitch control device (12) in the control device (10) comprises: - at least one electric winch (121), said at least one electric winch (121) being carried by said waiting platform (6), and - at least one traction rope (122) extending between the electric winch (121) and the upstream portion (71).

4. The gangway system (1) according to claim 3, wherein: The at least one electric winch (121) is carried by a cradle (61) extending above the waiting platform (6), And the at least one traction rope (122) includes a downstream end (1221), and the downstream end (1221) is fixed to the upstream part (71) at a connection point (7121) above the upstream part (71).

5. The gangway system (1) according to claim 2, wherein: The translation control device (13) in the control device (10) comprises: - at least one electric winch (131) carried by the upstream portion (71), and - at least one traction rope (132) extending between the electric winch (131) and the downstream portion (72).

6. The gangway system (1) according to claim 5, wherein: The at least one electric winch (131) is carried by the upstream part (71), the at least one electric winch (131) is installed below the upstream part (71), and the at least one traction rope (132) includes a downstream end (1321), and the downstream end (1321) is fixed to the downstream part (72) at a connection point (7221) installed below the downstream part (72).

7. The gangway system (1) according to claim 1, wherein: The motion acquisition module (16) includes a contact sensor (161), and the contact sensor (161) is installed on the downstream end (722) of the downstream part (72). The contact sensor (161) comprises: - at least one supporting member (1611) designed to bear on said offshore structure (S), and - a junction zone (1612) extending between the support member (1611) and the downstream end (722) of the downstream portion (72), The engagement zone (1612) comprises means for detecting movement of the at least one support member (1611) relative to the downstream end (722) of the downstream portion (72), Motion detection devices are designed to detect: - a translational movement (T1) parallel to said axis of extension (A), - Two rotational movements (T2, T3) perpendicular to said axis of extension (A), yaw and pitch.

8. The gangway system (1) according to claim 1, wherein: The tower (2) contains a lift (21) for personnel for transferring personnel between the deck (P) of the offshore service vessel (N) and the gangway (5).

9. The gangway system (1) according to claim 1, wherein: The gangway system (1) comprises a control device (31) of the carriage (3), and the control device (31) comprises an electric control device (31).

10. The gangway system (1) according to claim 1, wherein: The waiting platform (6) is protected in a circular building (62) comprising retractable side walls (621) that follow the yaw movement of the gangway (5) for protecting personnel, in particular from weather conditions.

11. The gangway system (1) according to claim 10, wherein: The retractable side wall (621) is opaque or has holes.

12. Offshore service vessel (N) equipped with a gangway system (1) according to claim 1.

13. The gangway system (1) according to claim 1, wherein: The manipulator (10) cooperates with a control device (15) comprising an active compensation module, which is designed to control the manipulator (10) of the gangway (5) based on data from a motion acquisition module (16) so as to stably place the downstream end (722) of the gangway (5) on the offshore structure (S).

14. The gangway system (1) according to claim 4, wherein: The at least one traction rope (122) includes a downstream end (1221) fixed to the upstream part (71) at a connection point (7121) above the upstream part (71) and located on the side of the downstream end (712) of the upstream part (71).

15. The gangway system (1) according to claim 6, wherein The at least one traction rope (132) includes a downstream end (1321), which is fixed to the downstream part (72) at a connection point (7221) installed below the downstream part (72) and is located on the side of the downstream end (722) of the downstream part (72).

16. The gangway system (1) according to claim 7, wherein: The at least one supporting member (1611) is designed to bear on the offshore structure (S) and comprises a shock absorbing mass.

17. The gangway system (1) according to claim 9, wherein: The electric operating device (31) comprises: - at least one electric winch (311) carried by the tower (2), and - at least one traction rope (312) extending between the electric winch (311) and the carriage (3).

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