A transfer deck and a movable gangway

Abstract

The invention relates to a transfer deck for transferring persons and / or goods towards and from a gangway. The transfer deck comprises a platform and a fence configuration mounted on the platform of the transfer deck at least partly surrounding a transfer area. The fence configuration includes a multiple number of pivotable fence units arranged in concatenation for providing access to the transfer area. The pivotable fence units are each provided with a frame and a pair of pivoting axles that are pivotably and slidably associated with the frame, such that upon lifting a first pivoting axle relative to the frame, the frame is allowed to pivot relative to the second pivoting axle.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a transfer deck for transferring persons and / or goods towards and from a gangway, the transfer deck comprising a platform configured to be connected to a base, the platform having a transfer area, and a fence configuration mounted on the platform of the transfer deck at least partly surrounding the transfer area, the fence configuration including a multiple number of pivotable fence units arranged in concatenation for providing access to the transfer area.

[0002] Gangways are generally known, e.g. as a motion compensated gangway, for transferring a load / person from a vessel to an object such as an offshore construction, or vice versa, or between respective vessels. The transfer deck is configured to be connected to a base that may be configured to be mounted on a vessel. The transition deck enables access onto the bridge from a vessel-fixed access point. The transition deck may further be configured to be movable, e.g. including actuators such as hydraulic pistons, to compensate for relative motion between the base or vessel and an object to or from which the load / person can be transferred. Said relative motion may for example result from waves or rolling, pitching and / or yawing motion of a vessel or boat floating on the water.

[0003] Access to the transfer area of the transfer deck platform, e.g. from an elevator platform travelling between the based level on the vessel and the transfer deck level, may be obtained by swinging open a pivotable fence unit.

[0004] It appears, in practice, that the pivotable fence units may be difficult to remove when desired e.g. if a relatively large trolley is to be transferred. Further, the removed pivotable fence units have to be stored on the transfer on the transfer deck occupying valuable transfer area.

[0005] Further, if a pivotable fence unit is erroneously operated or removed, a gap in the fence configuration may be obtained potentially leading to unsafe situations.

[0006] Similarly, if the platform slews in an emergency situation also a gap in the fence configuration may be obtained, similarly potentially leading to unsafe situations.

[0007] It is an object of the invention to provide a transfer deck wherein at least one of the above mentioned drawbacks is counteracted. It is a further object of the invention to provide a transfer deck offering enhanced and / or safer operational ability.

[0008] Thereto, according to an aspect of the invention, a transfer deck for transferring persons and / or goods towards and from a gangway is provided, the transfer deck comprising a platform configured to be connected to a base, the platform having a transfer area, and a fence configuration mounted on the platform of the transfer deck at least partly surrounding the transfer area, the fence configuration including a multiple number of pivotable fence units arranged in concatenation for providing access to the transfer area, wherein the pivotable fence units are each provided with a frame and a pair of pivoting axles that are pivotably and slidably associated with the frame, such that upon lifting a first pivoting axle relative to the frame, the frame is allowed to pivot relative to the second pivoting axle.

[0009] By providing a pair of pivoting axles that can selectively be activated, a double hinged gate is provided providing access to the transfer area in any desired manner, in particular for operating either in left or right hinged manner i.e. swinging the gate open to the left or to the right, thereby providing enhanced operational ability.

[0010] As a further advantage, two neighboring pivotable fence units can be opened to the left and to the right, respectively, thereby creating an unobstructed passage having a clearance width that approximately equals two times the width of the individual fence units, thereby further improving its operational ability.

[0011] As the pivotable fence units can be individually closed and opened, in a desired swinging direction, flexibility is provided in realizing an access opening where desired along a circumferential position at the fence configuration, in a fixed railing set-up.

[0012] By advantageously further providing the platform with a stationary cavity structure with cavities for receiving corresponding lower ends of the pivoting axles, the fence configuration can be realized without door frame and / or hinge frame above the fence itself, thereby avoiding further obstructions for persons and / or goods to be transferred.

[0013] By providing a coupling structure defining a moving path of the pivoting axle relative to a corresponding post of the frame, a pre-defined movement of the pivoting axle relative to the post is realized, e.g. including a rest position corresponding to the lifted position of the pivoting axle, in order to keep the lifted pivoting axle temporarily in place, and / or including a rest end position of a mainly horizontal path section corresponding to a swing range of the fence unit, the rest end position serving as an end stop position.

[0014] Optionally, the pivotable fence units are provided with a biasing element forcing the frame to a pivoting position corresponding with a closed state of the fence unit, for safety reasons.

[0015] Further, the pivotable fence units may be provided with a rolling wheel at least partly supporting the frame in an open state of the fence unit, for easy handling of the fence units during a swinging operation thereof.

[0016] Also, the pivotable fence units can be provided with a locking element for releasably locking the pivotable fence units, in order to further improve a safe and reliable operation of thereof.

[0017] The invention also relates to a movable gangway.

[0018] The invention will be further elucidated on the basis of exemplary embodiments which are represented in the drawings. The exemplary embodiments are given by way of non-limitative illustration of the invention. In the drawings: Fig. 1 shows a schematic perspective view of a movable gangway according to the invention; Fig. 2 shows a schematic perspective view of a transfer deck of the movable gangway shown in Fig. 1 according to the invention; Fig. 3 shows a schematic perspective back view of a pivotable fence unit of the transfer deck shown in Fig. 2, in a closed position; Fig. 4 shows a schematic perspective front view of the pivotable fence unit shown in Fig. 3, in the closed position; Fig. 5 shows a schematic perspective front view of the pivotable fence unit shown in Fig. 3, in an open position, and Fig. 6 shows a schematic perspective partial front view of a top portion of the pivotable fence unit shown in Fig. 3.

[0019] In the figures identical or corresponding parts are represented with the same reference numerals. The drawings are only schematic representations of embodiments of the invention, which are given by manner of non-limited examples.

[0020] Figure 1 shows a schematic perspective view of a movable gangway 1 according to the invention, for transporting persons and / or goods between a vessel and an offshore construction, or between respective vessels. The movable gangway 1 comprises a transfer deck 2 and a gangway unit or telescopic gangway 3 connected to the transfer deck 2. The transfer deck 2 is connected to a base 8 on a vessel 9 or offshore construction 9 via a motion compensated structure thus forming a so-called motion compensated gangway 1. During operation of the motion compensated gangway 1 a tip of the telescopic gangway 3 may be held in close proximity of an object to or from which a person or a load has to be transferred i.e. between a vessel and an offshore construction, or between respective vessels.

[0021] In the shown embodiment, the motion compensated structure includes actuators such as hydraulic pistons 102 to compensate for relative motion between the vessel and the offshore construction. Said relative motion may for example result from waves or rolling, pitching, and / or yawing motion of the vessel or vessels.

[0022] The gangway 3, as shown in Fig. 1, comprises a telescoping boom 4 and a main boom 5 which are telescopable with respect to each other in a longitudinal direction to adjust a longitudinal length L of the telescopic gangway 3. Although the telescopic gangway 3 is shown in Fig. 1 as part of the motion compensated gangway 1, the invention is by no means limited to this application. In particular, the telescopic gangway 3 may be employed in any situation where a conventional telescoping gangway is used or another type of gangway unit. Typically, one end of the gangway 3 is held nearby or fixed to one object, and the other end of the telescopic gangway 3 is attached to another object. By providing a telescopic gangway one can accommodate for a change in distance between two objects that are bridged by the gangway 3. Such a change in distance may for example result from waves, in which case the typical time scale involved is several seconds, but may also result from tidal motion, for example, if the telescopic gangway 3 connects a moored vessel to the quay , in which case the typical time scale is on the order of hours. Further, the length L of the telescopic gangway may be actively adjusted, for example, by means of actuators, or if the two ends of the telescopic gangway are attached to two objects, the two ends of the telescopic gangway may move freely in the longitudinal direction. In order to allow movement of the telescoping boom 4 relative to the main boom 5 in the longitudinal direction, the first gangway part 4 may be provided with a rail, and the second gangway part with wheels engaging the rail, or vice versa. Other guiding arrangements are also possible. As shown, the telescoping boom 4 has a first walkboard 6 and the main boom 5 has a second walkboard 7, the first and second walkboards 6, 7 forming a walkway. The walkboards 6, 7 may, for example, be implemented as gratings. Preferably, such a grating has holes to allow for rapid drainage of water.

[0023] Figure 2 shows a schematic perspective view of a transfer deck 2 of the movable gangway shown in Fig. 1 according to the invention. The transfer deck 2 is arranged for transferring persons and / or goods towards and from the gangway unit 3. In Fig. 2, also an elevator unit 200 of the movable gangway 1 is shown, said elevator unit 200 being provided with an elevator platform 201 and an actuator 202 for moving the elevator platform 201 mainly along a height direction H between a position near the base, for transfer of persons and / or goods towards and from the vessel or offshore construction, and a position next to and at a height level of the transfer deck platform 10, adjacent to pivotable fence units described referring to Fig. 2 below, for transfer of persons and / or goods towards and from the transfer deck 2.

[0024] It is noted that the transfer deck 2 according to the invention can not only be used in combination with the shown elevator unit 200, but also in combination with another type of elevator unit, or with another system component not including an elevator.

[0025] The transfer deck 2 has a platform 10 configured to be connected to the base 8 as described referring to Fig. 1 above. The platform 11 has a transfer area 11 for transferal of persons and / or goods towards and from the gangway unit 3, and towards and from the elevator platform 201.

[0026] Further, the transfer deck 2 has a fence configuration 12 mounted on the platform 10 of the transfer deck 2 at least partly surrounding the transfer area 11. Here, the fence configuration 12 includes a multiple number of pivotable fence units 13a-f arranged in concatenation for providing access to the transfer area 11, from an exterior location, in particular from the elevator platform 201. The pivotable fence units 13a-f are located next to each other forming a closed fence section shielding persons and / or goods temporarily located on the transfer area of the transfer deck 2.

[0027] The pivotable fence units 13a-f form access barriers that can be opened and closed individually. In a process of opening an individual fence unit 13a-f, the fence unit 13a-f can selectively pivot relative to either a right side pivoting axis or a left side pivoting axis, as described in more detail below. Then, two adjacent fence units 13a-f can be opened by pivoting relative to opposite side axes, i.e. a left fence unit 13a-f relative to a left pivoting axis, and a right fence unit 13a-f relative to a right pivoting axis, thereby providing an access width that is approximately twice a width of an individual fence unit.

[0028] Figure 3 shows a schematic perspective back view of a pivotable fence unit 13 of the transfer deck 2 shown in Fig. 2, in a closed position. Similarly, Figure 4 shows a schematic perspective front view of the pivotable fence unit 13 shown in Fig. 3, in the closed position.

[0029] The pivotable fence unit 13 shown in Fig. 2-3 is provided with a frame 14 and a pair of pivoting axles 18a-b that are pivotably and slidably associated with the frame 14, such that upon lifting a first pivoting axle 18a; 18b relative to the frame 14, the frame 14 is allowed to pivot relative to the second pivoting axle 18b; 18a, and the other way around.

[0030] In the shown embodiment, the frame 14 includes three mainly horizontally orientated rods 15a-c and a pair of mainly vertically extending hollow posts 16a,b arranged at opposite sides of the frame 14, in particular a first post 16a at a left side of the frame 14, and a second post 16b at a right side of the frame 14. The posts 16a,b are interconnected to each other via the rods 15a-c, forming together a rigid frame 14. Further, the pivotable fence unit 13 includes a plate 17 extending from a lower rod 15c downwardly, and a locking element 23 formed on the plate 17.

[0031] The platform 10 has a stationary cavity structure with corresponding cavities 19a,b for receiving axle ends as described below. The cavities 19a,b can be formed in an upper surface of the platform 10. In another embodiment, as shown in Fig. 3 a separate structure is provided including an elongate plate 20 provided with a bushing 19 defining therein a cavity 19a,b, the elongate plate 20 being mounted to the platform 10 along a circumventing rim of said platform 10.

[0032] The pair of pivoting axles 18a,b extends in a mainly vertical orientation, similar to the hollow posts 16a,b, and has corresponding lower ends 18' and upper ends 18". Further, the pivoting axles 18a,b are individually slidable in a mainly vertical direction V relative to the frame 14 between a lower position and a lifted position. In the lower position, the lower end 18' of the pivoting axle 18a,b extends downwardly beyond the frame 14 and into a corresponding cavity 19a,b, locking the pivoting axle 18a,b in the horizontal plane, in particular locking the pivoting axle 18a,b in a swiveling direction relative to the other pivoting axle 18b,a. In the lifted position, the lower end 18' of the pivoting axle 18a,b is withdrawn upwardly from the corresponding cavity 19a,b thereby releasing the pivoting axle 18a,b in a swiveling direction relative to the other pivoting axle b,a.

[0033] Figure 5 shows a schematic perspective front view of the pivotable fence unit 13 shown in Fig. 3, in an open position. Here, a particular pivoting axle 18a, in particular at the left side of the frame 14, when viewed from the front side, is lifted, allowing the frame 14 to swivel or pivot relative to the other axle 18b, in particular at the right side of the frame 14, when viewed from the front side, the right side axle 18b being received in the corresponding cavity 19b. Then, the fence 13 opens clockwise CW, as shown in Fig. 2 and Fig. 5.

[0034] When the other pivoting axle 18b, in particular at the right side of the frame 14, when viewed from the front side, is brought in the lifted position, while the left side pivoting axle 18a is in the lower position, the frame 14 is allowed to swivel or pivot relative to the left side pivoting axle 18a. Then, the fence 13 opens counterclockwise CCW, as shown in Fig. 2.

[0035] When both pivoting axles 18a,b re in their lower positions, received in the corresponding cavities 19a,b the fence 13 is blocked against rotation and remains closed.

[0036] If desired a user selected fence 13 can be thus be closed or opened, relative to a user selectable right or left located pivoting axle or hinge 18a,b, such that an access opening is provided having a width that is mainly similar to the width of the fence itself ranging in principle, depending on actual configuration dimensions, from e.g. circa 500 mm to circa 1000 mm, e.g. from e.g. 600 mm to circa 800 mm, e.g. for providing access to a person. Also, if desired, two user selected fences 13 next to each other can be opened, in particular by swiveling a left fence relative to a left pivoting axle 18, counterclockwise CCW, and by swiveling a right fence relative to a right pivoting axle 18, clockwise CW, such that a double access opening is provided having a width that is mainly similar to double the width of a single fence, in total ranging from e.g. circa 1000 mm to circa 2000 mm, e.g. from circa 1200 mm to circa 1600 mm, e.g. for providing access to a trolley, see e.g. Fig. 2.

[0037] Further, in principle, individual fences 13 can be removed from the platform 10 by elevating the frame 14 thereby lifting both pivoting axles 18a,b from their corresponding cavities 19a,b.

[0038] As shown in Figs. 3 and 5, the pivotable fence units 13 are provided with biasing elements such as torsion springs 21a,b forcing the frame 14 to a pivoting position relative to a corresponding pivoting axle 18 corresponding with a closed state of the fence unit 13, for safety reasons. In principle, also merely a single biasing element can be provided, or not biasing at all can be provided.

[0039] As also shown in Figs. 3 and 5, the pivotable fence units 13 can be provided, optionally, with a single or a multiple number of rolling wheels 22a,b at least partly supporting the frame 14 in an open state of the fence 13, thereby allowing for easy and smooth operation counteracting jamming.

[0040] As further shown in Figs. 3-5, the pivotable fence units 13 are provided with a locking element 23 for releasably locking the fence units 13 to the platform 10. In the shown embodiment, the locking element 23 includes a pin that can be shifted up and down between an upper position wherein the fence unit 13 is released, and a lower position wherein the pin engages with the platform 10 or with a structure associated or mounted to the platform 10 such that as the elongate plate 20, for locking the fence unit 13 against swiveling even if a pivoting axle 18a,b has been lifted.

[0041] In the shown embodiment, the mainly vertically extending posts 16a,b are hollow, while the pivoting axles 18a,b are pivotably and slidably along their body axes located inside the posts 16a,b.

[0042] In another embodiment, the pivoting axles 18a,b are located outside the posts 16a,b, and connected to each other in another manner, e.g. using bushing rings traversed by the pivoting axles 18a,b and attached to the corresponding posts 16a,b. The posts may be oriented in parallel to the pivoting axles 16a,b or slanted relative thereto.

[0043] Figure 6 shows a schematic perspective partial front view of a top portion of the pivotable fence unit 13 shown in Fig. 3. In the shown embodiment, the posts 16a,b are coupled to the corresponding pivoting axles 18a,b via a coupling structure defining a moving path M of the pivoting axle 18a,b relative to the post 16a,b. Here, the coupling structure includes a notch 26 traveling in a slot 25, in the shown embodiment implemented as a double coupling structure including two notches 26 traveling in corresponding slots 25a,b. It is noted that, alternatively, a single coupling structure can be provided, or more than two coupling structures, e.g. three or four coupling structures. Further, in the shown embodiment, the notch 26 is provided on the pivoting axle 18 while the slot 25 is formed in the post 16. Alternatively, the coupling structure can be implemented the other way around, viz. by providing the notch 26 on the post 16 while forming the slot 25 in the pivoting axle 18.

[0044] Further, as shown in Fig. 6, the moving path M includes a mainly vertical sliding path section VP, and a rest position RP at a top of the mainly vertical sliding path section VP, corresponding to the lifted position of the pivoting axle 16. Then, the user may bring the pivoting axle 16 in the rest position for providing a temporarily stationary lifted position. In addition, the moving path M includes, in the shown embodiment, a mainly horizontal pivoting path section HP, at a bottom of the mainly vertical sliding path section VP corresponding to a pivoting range of the frame 14 relative to the pivoting axle 16, the mainly horizontal pivoting path section HP preferably including a rest end position REP defining a temporarily stationary opened position of the fence 13.

[0045] It is noted that the moving path M can be formed in another way, e.g. without the rest position RP and / or the rest end position REP.

[0046] Referring again to Figs. 3-5, the pivotable fence unit 13 includes a notch extending radially outwardly from the posts 16a,b that cooperate with a corresponding structure on the elevator platform 201 such that upon rotating the transfer deck 2 beyond the elevator platform 201, the frame 14 is slightly lifted such that the pivoting axle 16 is released from the rest end position REP in the moving path M of the coupling structure, such that the fence unit 13 is automatically brought in the closed position due to the biasing force exerted by the biasing element 21, for safety reasons. Alternatively, another safety structure may be provided for automatically closing the fence unit 13 when an access area 11 of the transfer deck 10 rotates beyond the elevator platform 201.

[0047] Various variations are possible. It will be clear to the skilled person that the invention is not limited to the exemplary embodiment represented here. Many variations are possible.

[0048] As an example, the frame of the pivotable fence units may have another construction, e.g. including shoring elements.

[0049] Such variations shall be clear to the skilled person and are considered to fall within the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Claims

1. A transfer deck for transferring persons and / or goods towards and from a gangway unit, the transfer deck comprising: - a platform configured to be connected to a base, the platform having a transfer area, and - a fence configuration mounted on the platform of the transfer deck at least partly surrounding the transfer area, the fence configuration including a multiple number of pivotable fence units arranged in concatenation for providing access to the transfer area, wherein the pivotable fence units are each provided with a frame and a pair of pivoting axles that are pivotably and slidably associated with the frame, such that upon lifting a first pivoting axle relative to the frame, the frame is allowed to pivot relative to the second pivoting axle.

2. A transfer deck according to claim 1, wherein the pair of pivoting axles has corresponding lower ends, and wherein the platform has a stationary cavity structure with corresponding cavities for receiving said corresponding axle lower ends.

3. A transfer deck according to claim 2, wherein the pivoting axles are slidable in a mainly vertical direction between a lower position wherein the lower end of the pivoting axle extends downwardly beyond the frame and into the corresponding cavity, and a lifted position wherein the lower end of the pivoting axle is withdrawn upwardly from the corresponding cavity.

4. A transfer deck according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the frame includes a pair of mainly vertically extending, preferably hollow posts arranged at opposite sides of the frame, and wherein the pair of pivoting axles are located in parallel to the pair of the corresponding posts, preferably inside the corresponding posts.

5. A transfer deck according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the posts are coupled to the corresponding pivoting axles via a coupling structure defining a moving path of the pivoting axle relative to the post.

6. A transfer deck according to claim 5, wherein the moving path includes a mainly vertical sliding path section, and preferably a rest position corresponding to the lifted position of the pivoting axle.

7. A transfer deck according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the moving path includes a mainly horizontal pivoting path section corresponding to a pivoting range of the frame relative to the pivoting axle, the mainly horizontal pivoting path section preferably including a rest end position.

8. A transfer deck according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the pivotable fence units are provided with a biasing element forcing the frame to a pivoting position corresponding with a closed state of the fence unit.

9. A transfer deck according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the pivotable fence units are provided with a rolling wheel at least partly supporting the frame in an open state of the fence unit.

10. A transfer deck according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the pivotable fence units are provided with a locking element for releasably locking the pivotable fence units.

11. A movable gangway for transporting persons and / or goods between a vessel and an offshore construction, or between respective vessels , the movable gangway comprising a transfer deck according to any of the preceding claims connected to a base on a vessel or offshore construction via a motion compensated structure, further comprising a gangway unit provided with a walkway.

12. A movable gangway according to claim 11, further comprising an elevator unit having an elevator platform and an actuator for moving the elevator platform between a position near the base and a position next to and at a height level of the transfer deck platform, adjacent to the pivotable fence units.

13. A movable gangway according to claim 12, further comprising a safety structure for automatically closing a pivotable fence unit when an access area of the transfer deck rotates beyond the elevator platform.

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