A segmented guide rail device for transferring large equipment between jacket platforms

Abstract

The application relates to a segmented guide rail device for transferring large equipment between jacket platforms, which comprises a non-fixed end guide rail arranged between two fixed end guide rails; and a flexible connecting mechanism arranged between the fixed end guide rails and the non-fixed end guide rail, the flexible connecting mechanism having a movable state for allowing the fixed end guide rails and the non-fixed end guide rail to move relative to each other in a non-working state, and a locking state for locking the fixed end guide rails and the non-fixed end guide rail as a whole. The flexible connecting mechanism arranged between the fixed end guide rails and the non-fixed end guide rail enables the non-fixed end guide rail to axially slide and multi-directionally twist relative to the fixed end guide rails in the non-working state, effectively eliminates the force generated by the relative displacement between the jacket platforms caused by wave load on the guide rail structure, and avoids fatigue damage of the guide rail.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a guide rail device, particularly a segmented guide rail device for transferring large equipment between jacket platforms. Through a flexible connecting mechanism located between the fixed-end and non-fixed-end guide rails, the non-fixed-end guide rail can slide axially and twist in multiple directions relative to the fixed-end guide rail in a non-working state. This effectively eliminates the force exerted on the guide rail structure by the relative displacement caused by wave loads between jacket platforms, thus preventing fatigue damage to the guide rail. Background Technology

[0002] In the field of marine engineering construction and development, the transportation and installation of large structures, such as jacket platform superstructures and large process modules, are among the key technologies. As offshore oil and gas development gradually moves towards deeper waters, the scale of jacket platforms is increasing, and the weight and size of their superstructures and functional modules are also increasing accordingly. In practical engineering, it is often necessary to transport large equipment from land or slipways to their designated locations on the jacket platform, or to transfer equipment between different jacket platforms. Traditional transportation methods typically involve pre-setting slipways on land or at docks, and using hydraulic slipper towing systems or traction winches to slide large equipment along fixed tracks into place.

[0003] However, existing skid steer transport devices are mostly designed for specific skid steer loading scenarios, and their application is limited to short-term temporary docking and transfer between land and slipways. When large equipment needs to be transferred between two adjacent jacket platforms, the jacket platforms will experience continuous and irregular relative motion under wave loads, resulting in complex three-dimensional relative displacements between the guide rails fixed to the different platforms. Existing integral rigid guide rails cannot adapt to this dynamic displacement. If forced to connect them, huge additional stresses will be generated in the guide rails and their connecting structures, which can easily lead to structural fatigue failure. Summary of the Invention

[0004] To address the aforementioned deficiencies in the existing technology, this invention provides a segmented guide rail device for transferring large equipment between jacket platforms. Through a flexible connection mechanism located between the fixed-end guide rail and the non-fixed-end guide rail, the non-fixed-end guide rail can slide axially and twist in multiple directions relative to the fixed-end guide rail when not in operation. This effectively eliminates the force exerted on the guide rail structure by the relative displacement caused by wave loads between jacket platforms, thus preventing fatigue damage to the guide rail.

[0005] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides a segmented guide rail device for transferring large equipment between jacket platforms, comprising: Fixed-end guide rails, consisting of two sections, are used to be fixedly installed at the starting and ending points of equipment transportation; A non-fixed-end guide rail is disposed between the two fixed-end guide rails; A flexible connecting mechanism is disposed between the fixed end guide rail and the non-fixed end guide rail. The flexible connecting mechanism has an active state that allows the fixed end guide rail and the non-fixed end guide rail to move relative to each other when not in operation, and a locking state that locks the fixed end guide rail and the non-fixed end guide rail together. An alignment mechanism is disposed between the fixed end guide rail and the non-fixed end guide rail, and is used to limit the relative offset between the two in the locked state; A limiting mechanism is disposed between the fixed end guide rail and the non-fixed end guide rail, and is used to fix the relative position of the two in the locked state.

[0006] Traditional skid-steer transport systems are limited to short-term, temporary docking and transfer between land and slipways. To improve this, the present invention incorporates a flexible connection mechanism between the fixed-end and non-fixed-end guide rails. This allows the non-fixed-end guide rails to slide axially and twist in multiple directions relative to the fixed-end guide rails when not in operation. This effectively eliminates the force exerted on the guide rail structure by the relative displacement caused by wave loads between the jacket platform and prevents fatigue damage to the guide rails.

[0007] Both the fixed-end guide rail and the non-fixed-end guide rail are box-shaped structures and are arranged on the same design height plane, with a gap reserved between the fixed-end guide rail and the non-fixed-end guide rail.

[0008] The flexible connection mechanism includes a fixed chamber, a sliding link, and a torsion joint. The fixed chamber is fixedly installed in the fixed end guide rail. One end of the sliding link is slidably connected to the fixed chamber along the axial direction. The other end of the sliding link is hinged to the torsion joint. The torsion joint is hinged to the non-fixed end guide rail.

[0009] The torsion joint is hinged to the non-fixed end guide rail via a first pin, the first pin being horizontally arranged so that the torsion joint can rotate vertically relative to the non-fixed end guide rail; the sliding link is hinged to the torsion joint via a second pin, the second pin being vertically arranged so that the sliding link can rotate horizontally relative to the torsion joint.

[0010] One end of the fixed compartment extends beyond the outside of the fixed end guide rail, and the end of the fixed compartment extending beyond the fixed end guide rail is provided with a guide structure for guiding the non-fixed end guide rail to dock with the fixed end guide rail.

[0011] The guide structure consists of two symmetrically arranged clamping plates on the outside of the fixed-end guide rail, with the clamping plates extending along the direction of the fixed-end guide rail.

[0012] The alignment mechanism includes two alignment clamps, which are located on the outside of the fixed end guide rail and respectively located inside the corresponding alignment clamp box. An electric push rod is fixedly installed on the alignment clamp box and connected between the alignment clamp box and the alignment clamp, for driving the alignment clamp to extend and retract in a direction perpendicular to the fixed end guide rail.

[0013] The limiting mechanism includes a limiting pin, which is fixedly mounted on the alignment clamp box. The limiting pin is individually controlled to extend and retract. The non-fixed end guide rail and the fixed compartment are respectively provided with a first limiting hole and a second limiting hole. When the sliding link is fully retracted, the first limiting hole and the second limiting hole are aligned.

[0014] The alignment clamp has a through hole through which the limiting pin passes.

[0015] The outer wall of the fixed-end guide rail is provided with a guide rail wing plate, which is used to enhance the structural strength of the fixed-end guide rail.

[0016] Through the above structural design, this invention, by setting a flexible connection mechanism between the fixed-end guide rail and the non-fixed-end guide rail, allows the non-fixed-end guide rail to slide axially and twist in multiple directions relative to the fixed-end guide rail in the non-working state. This effectively eliminates the force exerted on the guide rail structure by the relative displacement caused by wave loads between the jacket platform and avoids fatigue failure of the guide rail. When large equipment needs to be transported, the flexible connection mechanism switches to the locked state, and together with the alignment mechanism and the limiting mechanism, firmly locks each section of the guide rail into one piece, forming a stable rigid transport channel. This ensures the structural safety of the equipment during transportation and meets the operational requirements for high-precision positioning of large equipment. Attached Figure Description

[0017] Figure 1 This is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of the segmented guide rail device for transferring large equipment between jacket platforms according to the present invention. Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the flexible connection mechanism of the segmented guide rail device for transferring large equipment between jacket platforms according to the present invention; Figure 3 This is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of the flexible connection mechanism of the segmented guide rail device for transferring large equipment between jacket platforms according to the present invention. Figure 4 This is an exploded view of the flexible connection mechanism of the segmented guide rail device for transferring large equipment between jacket platforms according to the present invention; Figure 5This is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of the working state of the flexible connection mechanism of the segmented guide rail device for transferring large equipment between jacket platforms according to the present invention. Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the arrangement of the segmented guide rail device for transferring large equipment between jacket platforms according to the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0018] The directions or similar terms used throughout this invention, such as "front," "back," "left," "right," "top," "bottom," "inner," "outer," and "side," are mainly for reference to the directions in the accompanying drawings. These directions or similar terms are only used to assist in explaining and understanding the various embodiments of this invention and are not intended to limit this invention.

[0019] The preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the embodiments described are only used to illustrate the technical features of the present invention and are not intended to limit the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0020] Please see Figures 1 to 6 As shown, the present invention discloses a segmented guide rail device for transferring large equipment 4 between jacket platforms, mainly comprising a fixed-end guide rail 1, a non-fixed-end guide rail 2, and a flexible connecting mechanism 3, and further including an alignment mechanism and a limiting mechanism. The flexible connecting mechanism 3 further includes a fixed compartment 5, a sliding connecting rod 6, and a torsion joint 7. The fixed compartment 5 extends beyond the fixed-end guide rail 1 and has a guide structure at its end. The guide structure consists of two symmetrically arranged alignment clamping boxes 10 on the outside of the fixed-end guide rail 1, extending along the direction of the fixed-end guide rail 1.

[0021] The alignment mechanism includes two alignment clamps 13, which are located on the outside of the fixed end guide rail 1. The two alignment clamps 13 are respectively located inside the corresponding alignment clamp box 10. An electric push rod 11 is fixedly provided on the alignment clamp box 10. The electric push rod 11 is connected between the alignment clamp box 10 and the alignment clamp 13 and is used to drive the alignment clamps 13 to extend and retract in a direction perpendicular to the fixed end guide rail 1 so as to clamp the fixed end guide rail 1.

[0022] The limiting mechanism includes a limiting pin 12, which is fixedly mounted on the alignment clamp box 10. An electric cylinder for driving the extension and retraction of the limiting pin 12 is fixedly mounted on the alignment clamp box 10. The non-fixed end guide rail 2 and the fixed compartment 5 are respectively provided with a first limiting hole 12-1 and a second limiting hole 12-2. When the sliding connecting rod 6 is fully retracted, the first limiting hole 12-1 and the second limiting hole 12-2 are aligned.

[0023] The fixed-end guide rail 1 consists of two sections, which are fixedly installed at the starting and ending points of equipment transportation on different jacket platforms, serving as the load-bearing foundation and positioning reference for the entire guide rail system. The non-fixed-end guide rail 2 is located between the two fixed-end guide rail sections 1, connecting the two ends of the fixed-end guide rail 1 to form a complete equipment transportation channel. The flexible connection mechanism 3 is located between the fixed-end guide rail 1 and the non-fixed-end guide rail 2, used to achieve flexible connection between the two in the non-working state and rigid locking in the working state.

[0024] Both the fixed-end guide rail 1 and the non-fixed-end guide rail 2 adopt a box-section structure, possessing high bending stiffness and load-bearing capacity, providing a sufficiently strong support environment for the transportation of large equipment 4. The three guide rail sections are arranged on the same design height plane to ensure that the sliding shoes or wheel sets at the bottom of the large equipment 4 can smoothly pass through the joints of each guide rail section during transportation. An axial gap is reserved between the fixed-end guide rail 1 and the non-fixed-end guide rail 2. This gap is used to accommodate some components of the flexible connection mechanism 3 and to provide space for relative movement in the non-working state. Figure 6 As shown, a guide rail wing plate 14 is fixedly installed on the outer wall of the fixed end guide rail 1. The guide rail wing plate 14 extends along the length of the guide rail and is used to enhance the overall structural strength of the fixed end guide rail 1.

[0025] Please see Figures 2 to 5As shown, the flexible connection mechanism 3 is arranged within the box-shaped cavities of the fixed-end guide rail 1 and the non-fixed-end guide rail 2. The flexible connection mechanism 3 mainly consists of a fixed compartment 5, a sliding connecting rod 6, and a torsion joint 7. The fixed compartment 5 is a steel structure with an internal groove for accommodating the sliding connecting rod 6. Part of it is located inside the fixed-end guide rail 1 and welded to its inner wall; the other part extends outwards from the fixed-end guide rail 1, protruding towards the non-fixed-end guide rail 2. The cross-sectional shape of the fixed compartment 5 is consistent with the internal box-shaped cross-section of the fixed-end guide rail 1, fully filling the internal space of the guide rail and ensuring uniform force transmission. One end of the sliding connecting rod 6 is located inside the fixed compartment 5 and can freely extend and retract axially within the fixed compartment 5. The portion of the fixed compartment 5 located inside the fixed-end guide rail 1 is equipped with a power mechanism, such as a hydraulic cylinder or an electric push rod. This power mechanism is used to drive the sliding connecting rod 6 to extend or retract axially, thereby switching the flexible connection mechanism 3 between its working and locked states. The other end of the sliding link 6 extends outside the fixed compartment 5, and a connection hole is provided at this end. One end of the torsion joint 7 is hinged to the end of the sliding link 6 via a second pin 9, wherein the second pin 9 is vertically arranged, allowing the sliding link 6 to rotate freely in the horizontal direction relative to the torsion joint 7. The other end of the torsion joint 7 is hinged to the inner wall of the non-fixed end guide rail 2 via a first pin 8, wherein the first pin 8 is horizontally arranged, allowing the torsion joint 7 to rotate freely in the vertical direction relative to the non-fixed end guide rail 2. The width of the connection position between the torsion joint 7 and the non-fixed end guide rail 2 is designed to be the same as the internal width of the non-fixed end guide rail 2 to ensure a tight fit; the height of the torsion joint 7 is less than the internal height of the non-fixed end guide rail 2, and it is centrally located in the vertical direction, thereby reserving sufficient space for the rotation of the torsion joint 7 in the vertical direction. A hollow structure is provided at the connection position between the torsion joint 7 and the sliding link 6 to ensure that the sliding link 6 has sufficient rotation range in the horizontal direction without interfering with the torsion joint 7.

[0026] With the above structural configuration, in the non-working state, the sliding link 6 can slide freely axially within the fixed compartment 5, and the torsion joint 7 can freely torsion in two orthogonal directions around the horizontally arranged first pin 8 and the vertically arranged second pin 9, respectively. This allows the non-fixed end guide rail 2 to achieve flexible movement with multiple degrees of freedom, such as axial translation, horizontal deflection, and vertical deflection, relative to the fixed end guide rail 1. This flexible connection method effectively absorbs and compensates for the relative displacement caused by wave loads between different jacket platforms, and eliminates the additional stress generated inside the guide rail structure.

[0027] Two alignment clamping plates 10 extend along the length of the fixed-end guide rail 1, with their starting positions matching those of the fixed compartment 5. The extension length of the alignment clamping plates 10 matches the end position of the torsion joint 7, ensuring that when the sliding linkage 6 is fully retracted, the end of the non-fixed-end guide rail 2 can be precisely inserted between the two alignment clamping plates 10. The end of the alignment clamping plates 10 is designed with a guide ramp or guide groove to guide the non-fixed-end guide rail 2 to accurately align and match with the fixed-end guide rail 1 during the locking process.

[0028] Two alignment clamps 13 are respectively disposed inside the corresponding alignment clamp boxes 10. The length of the alignment clamp 13 is the same as the length of the alignment clamp box 10, and its height is less than the height of the side plate of the fixed end guide rail 1. One end of the electric push rod 11 is fixedly connected to the alignment clamp box 10, and the other end is fixedly connected to the alignment clamp 13. The extension and retraction direction of the electric push rod 11 is perpendicular to the side of the fixed end guide rail 1. When the limiting pin 12 is pushed inward, the limiting pin 12 passes through the first limiting hole 12-1 and the second limiting hole 12-2 in sequence, fixing the non-fixed end guide rail 2 and the flexible connecting mechanism 3 together.

[0029] The non-fixed end guide rail 2 has first limiting holes 12-1 on both side walls, and the fixed compartment 5 has second limiting holes 12-2 on both side walls. The alignment clamp 13 has through holes for the limiting pins 12 to pass through. When the sliding connecting rod 6 is fully retracted, allowing the end of the non-fixed end guide rail 2 to engage with the end of the fixed compartment 5, the first limiting holes 12-1, the second limiting holes 12-2, and the through holes on the alignment clamp 13 are aligned along the same straight line. At this time, the limiting pins 12 extend inward, passing sequentially through the through holes on the alignment clamp 13, the first limiting holes 12-1, and the second limiting holes 12-2, firmly locking the non-fixed end guide rail 2 and the fixed end guide rail 1 together axially, thus locking the flexible connection mechanism in a locked state. When the limiting pin 12 is pulled outward and passes through the second limiting hole 12-2, the first limiting hole 12-1 and the through hole on the alignment clamp 13 in sequence, the non-fixed end guide rail 2 separates from the fixed end guide rail 1, and the flexible connection mechanism is in an active state.

[0030] In practical use, when the segmented guide rail device needs to be switched to the working state before transporting the large equipment 4, the sliding connecting rod 6 is first fully retracted by the power mechanism in the fixed compartment 5, causing the non-fixed end guide rail 2 to move towards and approach the fixed end guide rail 1 until the end of the non-fixed end guide rail 2 is engaged with the end guide structure of the fixed compartment 5. Then, the electric push rod 11 is activated to push the alignment clamp 13 to clamp the fixed end guide rail 1. Then, the limit pin 12 is extended and passes through the alignment clamp 13, the first limit hole 12-1 and the second limit hole 12-2 in sequence, locking the non-fixed end guide rail 2 and the fixed end guide rail 1 axially. At this time, the entire segmented guide rail device is transformed from a flexibly connected independent segment into a continuous integral transport track, allowing the sliding shoes of the large equipment 4 to pass smoothly.

[0031] After the large equipment 4 has been transported and positioned, and the guide rail device needs to be restored to its non-working state, firstly, the limit pin 12 is retracted to release the axial lock; then, the electric push rod 11 is retracted; finally, the sliding connecting rod 6 is extended by the power mechanism in the fixed compartment 5, causing the non-fixed end guide rail 2 to separate axially from the fixed end guide rail 1 and return to the reserved gap state. At this time, the flexible connection between each section of the guide rail is restored, allowing it to freely adapt to the independent movement of its respective jacket platform, thereby avoiding structural stress.

Claims

1. A segmented guide rail device for transferring large equipment between jacket platforms, characterized in that, Include: Fixed end guide rail (1), consisting of two sections, is used to be fixedly installed at the starting and ending points of equipment transportation; A non-fixed end guide rail (2) is disposed between the two fixed end guide rails (1); A flexible connection mechanism is disposed between the fixed end guide rail (1) and the non-fixed end guide rail (2). The flexible connection mechanism has an active state that allows the fixed end guide rail (1) and the non-fixed end guide rail (2) to move relative to each other in a non-working state, and a locking state that locks the fixed end guide rail (1) and the non-fixed end guide rail (2) together. An alignment mechanism is provided between the fixed end guide rail (1) and the non-fixed end guide rail (2) to limit the relative offset between them in the locked state; A limiting mechanism is provided between the fixed end guide rail (1) and the non-fixed end guide rail (2) to fix their relative positions in the locked state.

2. The segmented guide rail device for transferring large equipment between jacket platforms according to claim 1, characterized in that, Both the fixed-end guide rail (1) and the non-fixed-end guide rail (2) are box-shaped structures and are arranged on the same design height plane. A gap is reserved between the fixed-end guide rail (1) and the non-fixed-end guide rail (2).

3. The segmented guide rail device for transferring large equipment between jacket platforms according to claim 1, characterized in that, The flexible connection mechanism includes a fixed compartment (5), a sliding link (6), and a torsion joint (7). The fixed compartment (5) is fixedly installed in the fixed end guide rail (1). One end of the sliding link (6) is slidably connected to the fixed compartment (5) along the axial direction. The other end of the sliding link (6) is hinged to the torsion joint (7). The torsion joint (7) is hinged to the non-fixed end guide rail (2).

4. The segmented guide rail device for transferring large equipment between jacket platforms according to claim 3, characterized in that, The torsion joint (7) is hinged to the non-fixed end guide rail (2) by a first pin (8). The first pin (8) is arranged horizontally, so that the torsion joint (7) can rotate in the vertical direction relative to the non-fixed end guide rail (2). The sliding link (6) is hinged to the torsion joint (7) by a second pin (9). The second pin (9) is arranged vertically, so that the sliding link (6) can rotate in the horizontal direction relative to the torsion joint (7).

5. The segmented guide rail device for transferring large equipment between jacket platforms according to claim 3, characterized in that, One end of the fixed compartment (5) extends out of the outside of the fixed end guide rail (1), and the end of the fixed compartment (5) extending out of the outside of the fixed end guide rail (1) is provided with a guide structure for guiding the non-fixed end guide rail (2) to dock with the fixed end guide rail (1).

6. The segmented guide rail device for transferring large equipment between jacket platforms according to claim 5, characterized in that, The guide structure consists of two aligning clamp boxes (10) symmetrically arranged on the outside of the fixed end guide rail (1), and the aligning clamp boxes (10) extend along the direction of the fixed end guide rail (1).

7. The segmented guide rail device for transferring large equipment between jacket platforms according to claim 6, characterized in that, The alignment mechanism includes two alignment clamps (13), which are located on the outside of the fixed end guide rail (1). The two alignment clamps (13) are respectively located on the inside of the corresponding alignment clamp box (10). An electric push rod (11) is fixedly provided on the alignment clamp box (10). The electric push rod (11) is connected between the alignment clamp box (10) and the alignment clamp (13) and is used to drive the alignment clamp (13) to extend and retract in a direction perpendicular to the fixed end guide rail (1).

8. The segmented guide rail device for transferring large equipment between jacket platforms according to claim 6, characterized in that, The limiting mechanism includes a limiting pin (12), which is fixedly mounted on the alignment clamp box (10). The limiting pin (12) controls the extension and retraction independently. The non-fixed end guide rail (2) and the fixed compartment (5) are respectively provided with a first limiting hole (12-1) and a second limiting hole (12-2). When the sliding link (6) is fully retracted, the first limiting hole (12-1) and the second limiting hole (12-2) are facing each other.

9. The segmented guide rail device for transferring large equipment between jacket platforms according to claim 8, characterized in that, The alignment clamp (13) has a through hole through which the limiting pin (12) passes.

10. The segmented guide rail device for transferring large equipment between jacket platforms according to claim 1, characterized in that, The outer wall of the fixed end guide rail (1) is provided with a guide rail wing plate (14), which is used to enhance the structural strength of the fixed end guide rail (1).

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