Holding device for holding wave reinforcement net

Abstract

The invention relates to a tank wall of a floating structure for storing and / or transporting liquid cargo, the tank wall comprising at least one insulating body (8), at least one corrugated plate comprising a series of waves, the tank wall comprising a plurality of wave reinforcements arranged in a wave reinforcement net, the tank wall comprising at least one retaining device (22) for retaining the wave reinforcement net on the insulating body (8).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of sealed, insulated tanks for storing and / or transporting liquid cargoes at low temperatures, such as tanks for transporting liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) at a temperature between -50°C and 0°C at atmospheric pressure, for example, or tanks for transporting liquefied natural gas (LNG) at a temperature of about -162°C at atmospheric pressure. These tanks can be installed on land or on floating structures. In the case of floating structures, the tanks can be used to transport liquid gas or for receiving liquid gas used as fuel for the propulsion or accessories of the floating structure. Background Art

[0002] Sealed insulated tanks for storing these liquids at low temperatures usually consist of an insulator and a corrugated membrane, which includes a plurality of corrugated plates, in contact with the liquid cargo. Between the insulator and the corrugated membrane, wave reinforcements can be arranged in the waves of the corrugated plates. The wave reinforcements then have the function of mechanically supporting the waves of the corrugated membrane in the presence of mechanical stresses applied to the tank. The wave reinforcements are then assembled by connecting members to form a wave reinforcement mesh. The wave reinforcement mesh is then associated with each corrugated plate of the corrugated membrane.

[0003] The drawback of this tank wall is its installation. In fact, the wave reinforcements constituting the wave reinforcement net are not fixed to each other, and also have considerable size and weight, making it difficult to install and keep them in position on the insulation. The tank wall thus installed has the drawback of requiring several operators to keep its wave reinforcement net against the insulation, while providing little precision for the positioning of said wave reinforcement net against the insulation. Summary of the invention

[0004] The present invention therefore aims to overcome this drawback by devising a device for holding the wave reinforcement mesh in place during its positioning on the insulation body, the invention allowing to facilitate in a simple manner the precise installation of the corrugated sheet overlapping the wave reinforcement mesh on the insulation body.

[0005] Therefore, the present invention relates to a method for installing a tank wall of a floating structure for storing and / or transporting liquid cargo, the tank wall comprising at least one insulation body, at least one corrugated plate comprising a series of waves, the wall comprising a plurality of wave reinforcements arranged in a wave reinforcement mesh, the corrugated reinforcement mesh being arranged between the corrugated plate and the insulation body by being assembled into the said series of waves of the corrugated plate, the installation method using a retaining device for holding the corrugated reinforcement mesh in place against the insulation body, the retaining device comprising at least a first support member supporting the corrugated reinforcement mesh and a second support member supporting the first support member via a movable connecting member, during which method, in a first step, the second support member is fixed to the insulation body, in a second step, the first support member is fixed to the second support member via a movable connecting member, and then in a third step, the wave reinforcement member mesh is positioned on the first support member.

[0006] The floating structure may transport, among other things, liquid natural gas, liquefied petroleum gas, liquid ammonia and may comprise several tanks for storing and / or transporting them.

[0007] The insulation of the tank wall provides the thermal insulation of the tank necessary for transporting liquid natural gas and may in particular comprise at least one insulating layer. The corrugated sheet comprises waves distributed over its surface. This configuration of the corrugated sheet provides it with greater resistance to stresses generated on the tank, in particular to thermal contractions generated when the tank is cold, hydrostatic pressure due to loading of liquid cargo, and dynamic pressures due to movement of the cargo, in particular due to expansion. The waves on the corrugated sheet allow it to deform to overcome these constraints.

[0008] The wave reinforcement has a shape complementary to the waves of the corrugated sheet. Thus, the wave reinforcement can be arranged in a wave reinforcement mesh by connecting members connecting the wave reinforcements to each other, the mesh being able to be accommodated in the series of waves of the corrugated sheet so as to strengthen the corrugated sheet, in particular in the event of mechanical impact.

[0009] The holding device allows the wave reinforcement mesh to be held against the insulation during its positioning and at least until the corrugated sheet is positioned overlapping said wave reinforcement mesh. More specifically, the first support of the holding device is capable of capturing or receiving one of the connecting members of the wave reinforcement mesh, participating in holding said wave reinforcement mesh in position against the insulation.

[0010] An advantage of such a holding device is that it ensures that the wave reinforcement mesh is held against the insulation during installation of the tank wall, which on the one hand allows facilitating said installation and on the other hand allows precise positioning of the corrugated sheet overlapping the wave reinforcement mesh.

[0011] According to one feature of the invention, during the second step, the position of the first support is adjusted relative to the second support along the main axis of extension of the first support.

[0012] Such adjustment of the first support relative to the second support allows the holding device to adapt to different sizes of individual wave reinforcement webs arranged on separate portions of the tank wall.

[0013] According to one feature of the invention, during the second step, the position of the first support is adjusted relative to the second support by means of the movable coupling member.

[0014] Therefore, it can be understood that the movable connecting member allows the first support to be fixed to the second support on the one hand, and makes it possible to participate in adjusting the position of the first support relative to the second support on the other hand. In addition, the term "movable" means that the movable connecting member can be engaged and disengaged with the first support and the second support without destroying its material, and the number of times is greater than two.

[0015] According to one feature of the invention, the movable coupling member is a key or part screwed into the first and second supports, or a system for pressing the first support against the tank wall. The movable coupling member may also be any system equivalent to those described above.

[0016] According to one feature of the invention, in a step following the third step, the corrugated sheet is placed against the insulation so that the wave reinforcement mesh is housed in the series of waves of said corrugated sheet, and then said corrugated sheet is fixed to the insulation.

[0017] In the step of installing the corrugated sheet overlapping the wave reinforcement mesh, the position of said corrugated sheet is adjusted on the insulation. Such adjustment of the position of the corrugated sheet on the insulation is facilitated in particular by holding the wave reinforcement mesh by a holding device.

[0018] According to one feature of the invention, the retaining means comprise a third support and in the method, between the third step and a step following the third step, in a sub-step, the third support is fixed to the insulation by means of the wave barrier reinforcement mesh.

[0019] More precisely, the third support of the retaining device is arranged at an end of the wave reinforcement mesh that is different from the end of the wave reinforcement mesh supported by the first support and the second support. According to one example of the invention, the third support has the same structural features as the second support and is capable of receiving a portion of the wave reinforcement mesh. It should also be understood that the sub-step is an optional step of the installation method and is implemented when the insulation intended to receive the wave reinforcement mesh has a specific structure, for example by being tilted towards the inside of the tank, the wave reinforcement mesh then requiring additional support before the step after the third step during which the corrugated board is installed against the insulation.

[0020] According to one feature of the invention, in a step subsequent to the above step of mounting the corrugated sheet against the insulation, at least the first support is separated from the second support of the holding device by removing the movable coupling member and then at least the first support is removed from the tank wall.

[0021] According to an example of the invention, the second support of the device for holding the thermal insulation is also subsequently removed. It can be understood from this step that the holding device can be used to hold another wave reinforcement mesh against the thermal insulation during the method of installing the tank wall. It should also be understood that the holding device is not intended to remain on the tank wall once the tank wall has been assembled, and the holding device is only fixed to the thermal insulation during the method of installing the tank wall.

[0022] The invention also relates to a tank wall of a floating structure for storing and / or transporting liquid cargo, the tank wall comprising at least one insulation, at least one corrugated sheet comprising a series of waves, the tank wall comprising a plurality of wave reinforcements arranged in a wave reinforcement net, the wave reinforcement net being arranged between the corrugated sheet and the insulation by being accommodated in the series of waves of the corrugated sheet, the tank wall being characterized in that it comprises at least one retaining device for holding the wave reinforcement net in place against the insulation, the retaining device comprising at least one first support supporting the wave reinforcement net and a second support supporting the first support by a movable coupling member, the second support being fixed to the insulation. It should be understood that the method of installing the tank wall uses a retaining device comprising at least a first support and a second support.

[0023] Such a tank wall according to the invention makes it possible to facilitate the positioning and retention of the reinforcing mesh, at least during the construction phase of said wall.

[0024] According to the invention, the wave reinforcement mesh is produced by wave reinforcements connected to each other by connecting members. Thus, according to an example of the invention, the first support comprises an opening for receiving one of the connecting members of the wave reinforcement mesh at one end of the wave reinforcement mesh. According to a non-limiting example of the invention, the connecting member may take the form of a cross or a straight rod.

[0025] According to one feature of the tank wall, the first support element is a temporary wave reinforcement, different from the wave reinforcement of the wave reinforcement net, and is intended to be removed from the tank wall.

[0026] It should be understood that the first support is only arranged on the tank wall during installation of the tank wall, and the first support is not a permanent part of the tank wall. In addition, once the installation of the tank wall is completed, the entire holding device will be removed from the tank wall. According to one feature of the tank wall, the holding device includes adjustment means for adjusting the first support relative to the second support, the adjustment means including at least two first adjustment holes on one of the first support or the second support and at least one second adjustment hole on the other of the first support or the second support.

[0027] It will be appreciated that the adjustment step of the method for mounting the tank wall is at least implemented by means of an adjustment device for adjusting the retaining device. The first adjustment hole and the at least one second adjustment hole are aligned along an axis parallel to the main extension direction of the first support (corresponding to its main length direction, here longitudinal). The adjustment device then allows the position of the first support to be adjusted relative to the second support in the main extension direction of the first support.

[0028] According to one feature of the tank wall, the retaining means comprise a third support for blocking the wave reinforcement mesh in place, the third support being fixed to the insulation.

[0029] It will be appreciated that the method of installing the tank wall uses a third support during a step following the third step during which the wave reinforcement mesh is blocked at an end opposite to the end of the wave reinforcement mesh blocked by the first and second supports of the retaining device.

[0030] According to one feature of the tank wall, the retaining means are capable of blocking the wave reinforcement web in position in at least two directions perpendicular to the main axis of extension of the first support.

[0031] The receiving opening of the first support extends along the main extension direction of the first support. Thus, the association of the first support with one of the connecting members of the wave reinforcement mesh, which extends in the receiving opening of the first support along its main extension direction, allows the wave reinforcement mesh to be blocked in the transverse and vertical directions (perpendicular to the main extension direction of the first support - here the longitudinal direction).

[0032] According to one feature of the tank wall, the first support comprises at least one receiving opening capable of receiving at least a portion of the wave reinforcement mesh. According to one example of the invention, the receiving opening of the first support is intended to receive one of the connecting members of the wave reinforcement mesh. Alternatively, a portion of the wave reinforcement mesh, in particular a connecting member of the wave reinforcement mesh, may comprise a receiving opening in which one end of the first support of the holding device according to the invention is received.

[0033] The invention also relates to a tank of a floating structure for transporting and / or storing liquid cargoes, comprising at least one tank wall installed according to any of the preceding features, or at least one tank wall according to any of the preceding features.

[0034] The present invention also relates to a tool for installing a tank wall as described in this document, comprising at least one retaining device, which comprises at least a first support and a second support, the first support being configured to support a wave reinforcement mesh, the second support supporting the first support via a movable connecting member constituting the installation tool, the second support being configured to be fixed to an insulation body. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0035] Other features, details and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0036] [ Figure 1 ] is a cross-sectional side view of a floating structure for transporting liquefied gas having four tanks including the present invention;

[0037] [ Figure 2 ] is a perspective view of a corrugated plate of a corrugated membrane;

[0038] [ Figure 3 ] is a close-up view of the tank wall;

[0039] [ Figure 4 ] is a partial perspective view of the wave reinforcement mesh;

[0040] [ Figure 5 ] is an exploded view of an installation tool, the installation tool comprising a holding device for holding a corrugated reinforcement mesh according to the present invention;

[0041] [ Figure 6 ]yes Figure 5 A side view of a retaining device;

[0042] [ Figure 7 ] is fixed to Figure 3 The insulation of the tank wall Figure 5 A view of the retaining device;

[0043] [ Figure 8 ] is a perspective view of a third support member of the holding device;

[0044] [ Fig. 9 ] is a schematic diagram of a wave reinforcement mesh and a retaining device in a step of a method for installing a tank wall;

[0045] [ Fig.10 ] is installed Figure 3 Schematic diagram of the corrugated sheet and the holding device during one step of the tank wall method. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0046] First, it should be noted that although the accompanying drawings set forth embodiments of the present invention in detail, these drawings can of course be used to better define the present invention when appropriate. It should also be noted that these drawings only illustrate exemplary embodiments of the present invention. Finally, in all drawings, the same reference numerals represent the same elements.

[0047] Figure 1 A floating structure 1 is shown, such as an LNG carrier, having four tanks 2 for storing liquid gas, in particular liquefied natural gas. The tanks 2 are separated from each other by double transverse partitions 4, otherwise known as "dams". Each tank 2 is formed by a wall 6 and a corrugated membrane, wherein the wall 6 comprises a Figure 3 The insulation visible in the figure forms the insulating part of the wall 6, the corrugated membrane comprises a plurality of corrugated plates and is in contact with the liquid cargo. Figure 2 The corrugated sheet 100 visible in the figure is a sheet of corrosion resistant material, in particular stainless steel, having a thickness of, for example, 0.5 to 2 mm, advantageously 1.2 mm, measured along the vertical direction V of the corrugated sheet 100. The corrugated sheet 100 may also comprise a length of 900 to 3300 mm, measured in the longitudinal direction L of the corrugated sheet 100. Finally, the corrugated sheet 100 may comprise a width of 600 to 1500 mm, measured in the transverse direction T of the corrugated sheet 100. The corrugated sheet 100 is then delimited at its periphery by an edge 160.

[0048] The corrugated sheet 100 comprises a plurality of first series of waves 110 which are parallel to each other and extend in a transverse direction T of the corrugated sheet 100. The corrugated sheet 100 also comprises a plurality of second series of waves 120 which are parallel to each other and extend in a longitudinal direction L of the corrugated sheet 100. According to the present invention, the corrugated sheet 100 comprises nine first series of waves 110 and three second series of waves 120.

[0049] “Wave” refers to a deformation of the surface of the corrugated plate 100 in the vertical direction V of the corrugated plate 100 . Thus, the cross-sectional wave has a convex shape with an apex 150 .

[0050] The first series of waves 110 and the second series of waves 120 extend mainly in directions perpendicular to each other and form nodes 130 at their intersection. The nodes 130 appear vertically from the plane AB of the corrugated sheet 100. The peak of at least one node 130 is higher than the apex 150 of the series of waves 110, 120 of the corrugated sheet 100.

[0051] The corrugated sheet 100 further comprises a flat portion 140 of quadrilateral shape, the two sides of which extending along the longitudinal direction L of the corrugated sheet 100 are bounded by two second series of waves 120 and the sides extending along the transverse direction T of the corrugated sheet 100 are bounded by two first series of waves 110. All the flat portions 140 define an undeformed surface extending along the plane AB of the corrugated sheet 100 and in contact with the insulation when the corrugated membrane is mounted against the insulation.

[0052] Figure 3 Part of the tank wall 6 is shown, in particular a portion of a corrugated sheet 100 with a corrugated membrane 11, which is intended to be in contact with the cryogenic fluid contained in the tank and is anchored to the insulation 8. Figure 4 A wave reinforcement 10, which is visible in FIG. 1 and is divided into a first wave reinforcement 10a and a second wave reinforcement 10b, is also arranged on the thermal insulation body 8. In the remainder of the detailed description, when features mentioned apply to both types of wave reinforcements, the first wave reinforcement 10a and the second wave reinforcement 10b will be grouped together under the term "wave reinforcement 10".

[0053] The first wave reinforcements 10a are aligned to form a first series of reinforcements 12a extending in the transverse direction T of the corrugated sheet 100. The second wave reinforcements 10b are aligned to form a second series of reinforcements 12b extending along the longitudinal direction L of the corrugated sheet 100. Thus, the first series of reinforcements 12a and the second series of reinforcements 12b intersect, in particular in the vertical direction.

[0054] The first wave reinforcement 10a is received in the first series of waves 110 of the corrugated sheet 100. It will be appreciated that the first wave reinforcement 10a is positioned to nest in the deformation of the waves, the shape of the first wave reinforcement 10a being complementary to the shape of the waves of the first series of waves 110 of the corrugated sheet 100.

[0055] The second wave reinforcement 10b is received in the second series of waves 120 of the corrugated sheet 100. It will be appreciated that the second wave reinforcement 10b is positioned to nest in the deformation of the waves, the shape of the second wave reinforcement 10b being complementary to the shape of the waves of the second series of waves 120 of the corrugated sheet 100.

[0056] It will also be appreciated that the intersection between the first series of reinforcements 12a and the second series of reinforcements 12b is located below the nodes 130 of the corrugated sheet 100 .

[0057] The connecting member 14 is arranged in the first wave reinforcement 10a and the second wave reinforcement 10b so that they are connected to each other below the series of waves 110, 120 of the corrugated sheet 100. The connecting member 14 may be in the form of, for example but not limited to, a cross or a straight bar.

[0058] In the remainder of the detailed description, Figure 4 The “wave reinforcement mesh 16” visible in the figure will refer to all the first series reinforcements 12a and the second series reinforcements 12b, which are connected under a single and identical corrugated sheet 100 by at least one connecting member 14, in particular a plurality of connecting members 14. The wave reinforcement mesh 16 according to the present invention is Figure 4 and 9 Especially visible in.

[0059] The transverse ends 18 and longitudinal ends 20 of the wave reinforcement web 16 are defined. More specifically, the wave reinforcement web 16 includes a first transverse end 18a and a second transverse end 18b opposite to each other in the transverse direction T of the corrugated board, and a first longitudinal end 20a and a second longitudinal end 20b opposite to each other along the longitudinal direction L of the corrugated board. It should be understood that, as described above, each of the longitudinal ends 20 and the transverse ends 18 of the wave reinforcement web 16 is intended to be positioned in line with the edge 160 of the corrugated board 100 when the corrugated board 100 is placed on the insulation covering the wave reinforcement web 16.

[0060] The tank wall 6, and more precisely the corrugated membrane 11, comprises a series of corrugated plates 100 positioned on the insulation 8, between which the wave reinforcements 10 form a wave reinforcement mesh 16. It can therefore be understood that each corrugated plate 100 covers a wave reinforcement mesh 16 arranged in the waves of the corrugated plates 100. The wave reinforcements 10 then allow the waves of the corrugated membrane 11 to be mechanically supported in the event of deformation of the tank wall 6.

[0061] Figures 5 to 8 At least one installation tool 21 of the above-mentioned tank wall 6 is shown, such tool comprising at least one holding device 22 for holding the wave reinforcement mesh in place against the thermal insulation 8, the holding device 22 comprising at least one first support 24 configured to support the wave reinforcement mesh and a second support 26 configured to support the first support 24 via a movable coupling member 28 that is part of the installation tool 21, the second support 26 being intended to be fixed to the thermal insulation 8. Once the panels are assembled, the tool is removed from the tank wall in order to be used again.

[0062] According to the non-limiting example of the invention shown, the first support 24 of the retaining device 22 is a temporary wave reinforcement 24, different from the wave reinforcement of the wave reinforcement net, and is intended to be removed from the tank wall. It is particularly understood that the temporary wave reinforcement 24 forming the first support 24 is only present on the insulation 8 during the installation operation of the corrugated sheet 100 and is removed from the insulation 8 once said installation is completed.

[0063] In the remainder of the description, for ease of understanding, it should be considered that all longitudinal L, vertical V and transverse T directions of the retaining device 22 are parallel to the directions previously associated with the corrugated sheet.

[0064] The first support 24 extends along a main extension direction P, here the longitudinal direction L, and is perforated along the same direction. Figure 6 As shown, the upper part 30 and the lower part 32 of the first support member 24 are defined, and they are opposite to each other in the vertical direction V of the retaining device 22, the upper part 30 includes a warped portion 34 for reinforcing the first support member 24, and the lower part 32 includes a receiving opening 36 for at least a portion of the wave reinforcement member net, and the receiving opening 36 extends in the longitudinal direction L of the first support member 24.

[0065] More specifically, the lower portion 32 of the temporary wave reinforcement 24 is capable of receiving a portion of one of the connecting members of the wave reinforcement web, the one connecting member being arranged at one of the longitudinal or transverse ends of the wave reinforcement web. Fig. 9 and 10 As shown, the lower portion 32 of the first support 24 receives a portion of one of the connection members 14 of the wave reinforcement mesh 16. The method of inserting the connection member into the first support will be detailed in the detailed description below. In addition, it should be understood that when the connection member is inserted into the first support 24 of the holding device 22, the connection member and therefore the wave reinforcement mesh are blocked on the insulation body in the vertical and transverse directions of the holding device 22. This position blocking of the wave reinforcement mesh is carried out in particular in cooperation with the second support 26 fixed to the insulation body 8.

[0066] like Figure 5 As shown in FIG. 6 , the second support member 26 of the holding device 22 is in the form of a metal sheet, here in a rectangular shape, whose central portion 38 has been deformed into a U-shape. The central portion 38 thus deformed into a U-shape includes at least one bottom wall 40 and two side walls 42, the side walls 42 extending vertically from the bottom wall 40, thereby defining Figure 64. It will be appreciated that the two side walls 42 extend in parallel and face each other. At least one fixing flange 46 extends from one of the side walls 42, extending from an end opposite to the bottom wall 40 of the central portion 38 and perpendicular to the side wall 42. According to the illustrated example of the invention, the two fixing flanges 46 each extend from one of the side walls 42 of the central portion 38 of the second support 26, perpendicular to the side wall 42 and opposite to the cavity 44 defined by the central portion 38. It will be appreciated that the bottom wall 40 and the fixing flanges 46 each extend in planes parallel to each other. At least one fixing flange 46 of the second support 26 includes at least one fixing hole 48 for fixing the second support 26 to the insulation 8. More specifically, each of the fixing flanges 46 includes two fixing holes 48, allowing the second support 26 to be fixed to the insulation 8, for example, by screws or studs with nuts that can pass through the fixing holes 48 and be received in the insulation 8. According to an advantageous configuration of the second support 26 , the fixing holes 48 are formed on the fixing flange 46 such that they are arranged opposite fixing holes (not shown) already formed on the thermal insulation 8 .

[0067] As described above, the second support member 26 is used to support the first support member 24, and the first support member 24 is adapted to be at least partially accommodated in the cavity 44 of the second support member 26. Figure 6 It can be seen in particular in FIG. It will be understood that the bottom wall 40 and the side walls 42 of the central portion 38 of the second support 26 have dimensions that allow the cavity 44 to be delimited in such a way as to define a space adapted to the insertion of the first support 24 into said cavity 44. In other words, the central portion 38 of the second support 26 and the first support 24 have longitudinal, transverse and vertical dimensions that are suitable, on the one hand, for the insertion of the first support 24 into the cavity 44 and, on the other hand, for its longitudinal translation displacement in the cavity 44 of the second support 26. Therefore, there is a gap between the first support 24, the bottom wall 40 and the side walls 42 of the central portion 38 of the second support 26.

[0068] The retaining device 22 also includes at least one adjustment device 50 for adjusting the first support member 24 relative to the second support member 26, which includes at least two first adjustment holes 52 on one of the first support member 24 or the second support member 26 and at least one second adjustment hole 54 on the second support member 26 or the other of the first support member 24.

[0069] according to Figure 5In the example shown, the first support member 24 includes two first adjustment holes 52, and the second support member 26 includes three second adjustment holes 54. More specifically, the first two adjustment holes 52 of the first support member 24 are aligned along an axis parallel to the longitudinal direction L of the holding device 22, and are formed on the top 56 of the upper portion 30 of the first support member 24, so that when the temporary wave reinforcement member 24 is inserted into the cavity 44, the first adjustment holes 52 are aligned with the bottom wall 40 of the central portion 38 of the second support member 26.

[0070] In addition, the three second adjustment holes 54 of the second support 26 are aligned along an axis parallel to the longitudinal direction L of the first support 24, and are formed on the bottom wall 40 of the central portion 38. It can therefore be understood that when the first support 24 is accommodated in the cavity 44 of the second support 26, at least one of the two first adjustment holes 52 of the first support 24 is able to face at least one of the three second adjustment holes 54 of the second support 26. Then, the longitudinal translation of the first support 24 in the cavity 44 of the second support 26 allows the position of the first support 24 to be adjusted relative to the second support 26 by positioning one of the first adjustment holes 52 opposite to one of the second adjustment holes 54.

[0071] In order to block the first support 24 in place relative to the second support 26, the holding device 22 includes a movable coupling member 28. The term "movable" means that the movable coupling member 28 is capable of connecting and disconnecting the first support 24 and the second support 26 without destroying their materials. In particular, the movable coupling member 28 can pass through one of the first adjustment holes 52 that are respectively opposite to one of the second adjustment holes 54 of the first support 24 and the second support 26, so as to block their positions relative to each other. The movable coupling member 28 can be, for example, a threaded cylinder, a key or even a magnetic cylinder that can be magnetized by the material of the first support 24 and / or the second support 26, so that it blocks the first support 24 in place relative to the second support 26. Therefore, the movable coupling member 28 is removable because it can engage and disengage with the first support 24 and the second support 26 without destroying their materials.

[0072] According to another embodiment of the movable connecting member used when the first support member does not include the first adjustment hole (not shown), the movable connecting member may include a threaded cylinder capable of being screwed into the second support member and an elastic deformable pad, for example made of rubber, which is arranged at the free end of the threaded cylinder and can apply pressure against the first support member, especially at the top of the first support member, and when the threaded cylinder is screwed into the second support member, the elastic deformable pad presses the first support member against the tank wall.

[0073] It should be understood that the movable coupling member 28, on the one hand, allows the position of the first support 24 to be blocked relative to the second support 26, and on the other hand, cooperates with the aforementioned adjustment device 50 to participate in adjusting the position of the first support 24 relative to the second support 26. The advantages of the adjustment device 50 and the movable coupling member 28 are also that they allow the holding device 22 to adapt to wave reinforcement meshes of different structures and sizes, that is, to wave reinforcement meshes arranged on different parts of the tank wall or with different sizes.

[0074] according to Figure 8 In another example of the invention, which can be seen in FIG. 2 , the retaining device 22 comprises a third support 58. It should then be taken into account that, in this non-limiting example of the invention, the retaining device 22 comprises a first support and a second support, as they have been previously described. According to this non-limiting example of the invention, the third support 58 of the retaining device 22 has the same structural features as the second support of said retaining device 22. In other words, the third support 58 is presented as a deformed sheet, having a receiving area 60 similar to the cavity of the second support, and fixing the wall 59 to the insulation 8.

[0075] from Figure 8 As can be seen in the figure, the third support 58 cooperates with the first support and the second support to participate in holding the wave reinforcement mesh 16 in place. The third support 58 is particularly capable of receiving a portion of the wave reinforcement mesh 16 in its receiving area 60. More specifically, the third support 58 is capable of receiving one of the wave reinforcements 10 of the wave reinforcement mesh 16, which is arranged at one of the longitudinal ends 20 or transverse ends 18 of the wave reinforcement mesh 16, and is particularly arranged at a longitudinal end 20 or transverse end 18 of the wave reinforcement mesh 16 that is different from the longitudinal end 20 or transverse end 18 of the wave reinforcement mesh 16 held by the first support and the second support. According to an example of the present invention, the first support and the second support are arranged at a first longitudinal end of the wave reinforcement mesh 16, while the third support 58 is arranged at a second longitudinal end of the wave reinforcement mesh 16.

[0076] The advantage of such a third support 58 is that it ensures optimal holding of the wave reinforcement mesh 16 against the insulation 8, in particular when said wave reinforcement mesh 16 is placed against one of the portions of the tank wall 6 inclined towards the inside of the tank. Thus, the longitudinally opposite placement of the third support 58 with respect to the wave reinforcement mesh 16 to the first and second supports makes it possible to avoid tilting of the wave reinforcement mesh 16 when it is arranged against the portion of the tank wall 6 inclined towards the inside of the tank.

[0077] As can be understood from the retaining means 22 just described, this allows the wave reinforcement net 16 to be held in position on the insulation body 8 during the process of installing the tank wall, in particular through the cooperation between at least one of the connecting members on the periphery of said wave reinforcement net and the first support 24 of the retaining means 22, which in turn is held against the insulation body 8 by the second support 26 of the retaining means 22. It should also be considered that, as just described, several retaining means 22 can be arranged against the insulation body 8 in order to increase the retention force of the wave reinforcement net 16 against the insulation body 8 during the method of installing the tank wall.

[0078] Now refer to Fig. 9 and 10 Describe the method of installing the tank wall.

[0079] The method comprises at least a first step during which the second support 26 of the holding device 22 is fixed to the insulation 8 by means of a fixing hole formed on each of the two fixing flanges 46 of the second support 26. In a second step, the first support 24 is fixed to the second support 26 by means of a movable coupling member 28 and an adjustment device. During this second step, the position of the first support 24 can then be adjusted relative to the second support 26 in the longitudinal direction L of the holding device 22. The first support 24 is then slid into the cavity of the second support 26 so as to arrange one of the first adjustment holes opposite to one of the second adjustment holes of the first support 24 and the second support 26, respectively, and the movable coupling member 28 is then adjusted by means of the selected adjustment hole so as to block the first support 24 in position relative to the second support 26.

[0080] Once the first support 24 has been blocked and possibly adjusted in position relative to the second support 26, in a third step, the wave reinforcement mesh 16 is positioned on the first support 24. More specifically, one of the connecting members 14 arranged at one of the longitudinal ends 20 or transverse ends 18 of the wave reinforcement mesh 16, here the first longitudinal end 20a, is inserted into a receiving opening of the first support 24, here in the form of a temporary wave reinforcement 24 as described above. It will then be understood that it is advisable to carry out a preliminary step of installing the wave reinforcement mesh 16 before the third step, which step of installing the wave reinforcement mesh 16 can be carried out before or after the first step of the method.

[0081] In the case where the wave reinforcement mesh 16 must be placed against the portion of the insulation 8 that is inclined toward the inside of the tank, in a step following the third step, referred to as a sub-step, the third support 58 of the retaining device 22 is fixed to the insulation 8 by blocking the wave reinforcement mesh 16. More specifically, the third support 58 is fixed to the insulation 8 in such a way that it blocks the second longitudinal end 20b of the wave reinforcement mesh 16. This ensures optimal retention of the wave reinforcement mesh 16 against the insulation 8 during the installation of the tank wall. It should also be understood that this sub-step of installing the third support 58 is optional and depends on the structure of the portion of the insulation 8 on which the wave reinforcement mesh 16 must be arranged. It should also be understood that this sub-step is after the third step of positioning the wave reinforcement mesh 16 on the first support 24 described above.

[0082] Once the third step has been performed, and possibly after the sub-step of fixing the third support 58 has been performed, in a step following the third step, the corrugated sheet 100 is placed against the insulation 8 so that the wave reinforcement mesh 16 is contained in the series of waves of said corrugated sheet 100, and then said corrugated sheet 100 is fixed to the insulation 8. According to one effect of the present invention, the wave reinforcement mesh 16 is held against the insulation 16 by the holding device 22, making it easier for a technician to accurately adjust the position of the corrugated sheet 100 against the insulation 16.

[0083] Subsequently, in a step following the step of mounting the corrugated sheet 100 against the insulation 16, at least the first support 24 is separated from the second support 26 of the holding device 22 by removing the movable coupling member 28, and then at least the first support 24 is removed from the tank wall. Subsequently, the second support 26 is also removed from the tank wall, more precisely from the insulation 8. Optionally, during a sub-step between the third step and the step following the third step, the third support 58 is also removed from the insulation 8. It is understood that the holding device 22 can be reused to hold other corrugated reinforcement meshes of the tank wall during the installation of the tank wall.

[0084] However, the invention that has just been described is not limited to the devices and configurations specifically described and shown, but also applies to all equivalent devices or configurations and any combination of these devices or configurations.

Claims

1. A method for installing a tank (2) wall (6) of a floating structure (1) for storing and / or transporting liquid cargo, the tank (2) wall (6) comprising at least one thermal insulation (8), at least one corrugated sheet (100) comprising a series of waves (110, 120), the wall (6) comprising a plurality of wave reinforcements (10) arranged in a wave reinforcement mesh (16), the wave reinforcement mesh (16) being arranged between the corrugated sheet (100) and the thermal insulation (8) by fitting into the series of waves (110, 120) of the corrugated sheet (100), the installation method using a device for holding the wave reinforcement mesh (16) against the thermal insulation (8) A holding device (22) for holding the wave reinforcement member (16) in position, the holding device (22) comprising at least a first support member (24) and a second support member (26), the first support member supporting the wave reinforcement member net (16), the second support member supporting the first support member (24) via a movable connecting member (28), during the installation method, in a first step, the second support member (26) is fixed to the insulation body (8), in a second step, the first support member (24) is fixed to the second support member (26) via the movable connecting member (28), and then in a third step, the wave reinforcement member net (16) is positioned on the first support member.

2. The installation method according to claim 1, wherein: During the second step, the position of the first support (24) is adjusted relative to the second support (26) along the main extension axis of the first support (24).

3. The installation method according to claim 2, wherein: During said second step, the position of said first support (24) is adjusted relative to said second support (26) by means of said movable coupling member (28).

4. A method of installation according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: In a step following the third step, the corrugated sheet (100) is placed against the insulation (8) so that the wave reinforcement mesh (16) is accommodated in the series of waves (110, 120) of the corrugated sheet (100), and then the corrugated sheet (100) is fixed to the insulation (8).

5. The installation method according to claim 4, wherein: The retaining device (22) comprises a third support (58) which, during the mounting method, is fixed to the insulation (8) by blocking the wave reinforcement mesh (16) in a sub-step between the third step and a step following the third step.

6. The installation method according to claim 5, wherein: In a step subsequent to the step of mounting the corrugated sheet (100) against the insulation (8), at least the first support (24) is separated from the second support (26) of the retaining device (22) by removing the movable connecting member (28), and then at least the first support (24) is removed from the wall (6) of the tank (2).

7. A tank (2) wall (6) of a floating structure (1) for storing and / or transporting liquid cargo, the tank (2) wall (6) comprising at least one thermal insulator (8), at least one corrugated sheet (100) comprising a series of waves (110, 120), the wall (6) comprising a plurality of wave reinforcements (10) arranged in a wave reinforcement mesh (16), the wave reinforcement mesh (16) being arranged in the corrugated sheet (100) by being accommodated in the series of waves (110, 120) of the corrugated sheet (100). ) and the insulation (8), the tank (2) wall (6) is characterized in that it includes at least one retaining device (22) for holding the wave reinforcement mesh (16) in place against the insulation (8), the retaining device (22) including at least one first support member (24) supporting the wave reinforcement mesh (16) and a second support member (26) supporting the first support member (24) via a movable connecting member (28), the second support member (26) being fixed to the insulation (8).

8. The tank (2) wall (6) according to claim 7, wherein: The first support (24) is a temporary wave reinforcement (24) of a wave reinforcement (10) different from the wave reinforcement mesh (16) and is to be removed from the tank (2) wall (6).

9. The tank (2) wall (6) according to claim 7 or 8, wherein: The retaining device (22) comprises an adjusting device (50) for adjusting the first support member (24) relative to the second support member (26), the adjusting device comprising at least two first adjusting holes (52) on one of the first support member (24) or the second support member (26) and at least one second adjusting hole (54) on the other of the first support member (24) or the second support member (26).

10. The tank (2) wall (6) according to claim 7, wherein: The retaining device (22) comprises a third support (58) for blocking the wave reinforcement mesh (16) in place, the third support (58) being fixed to the insulation (8).

11. The tank (2) wall (6) according to claim 7, wherein: The retaining means (22) are capable of blocking the wave reinforcement web (16) in position in at least two directions perpendicular to the main extension axis of the first support (24).

12. The tank (2) wall (6) according to claim 7, wherein: The first support (24) includes at least one receiving opening (36) capable of receiving at least a portion of the wave reinforcement mesh (16).

13. The tank wall according to claim 7, wherein: The movable coupling member (28) is a key or component screwed into the first support (24) and the second support (26), or a system for pressing the first support (24) against the wall (6) of the tank (2).

14. A tank (2) of a floating structure (1) for transporting and / or storing liquid cargo, comprising at least one tank (2) wall (6) installed according to the installation method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, or at least one tank (2) wall (6) according to any one of claims 7 to 12.

15. An installation tool (21) for installing the wall (6) of a tank (2) according to any one of claims 7 to 13, comprising at least the retaining device (22), wherein the retaining device comprises at least a first support member (24) and a second support member (26), wherein the first support member (24) is configured to support a wave reinforcement mesh (16), and the second support member (26) supports the first support member (24) via a movable connecting member (28) constituting the installation tool (21), and the second support member (26) is configured to be fixed to the insulation body (8).

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