Device for offshore application, comprising a bridge equipped with a crane with an articulated boom

Abstract

The present invention relates to a device (1) for offshore application, comprising a deck (2) equipped with a crane (3) with an articulated boom (4). This crane (3) comprises: - a support structure (5), fixed to said deck (2), and - an articulated boom (4), supported by said support structure (5). The articulated boom (4) comprises a main boom (41) and an end boom (42), in series, which end boom (42) has a head (422) opposite said support structure (5). This deck (2) is equipped with a cradle (10), located at a distance from the support structure (5), which has a receiving portion (101) on which a head (422) of said end boom (42) is intended to rest in said resting position.

Description

Technical field of the invention

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of equipment for offshore application, comprising a bridge equipped with an articulated boom crane. State of the art

[0002] Some equipment for offshore applications, particularly ships, includes a deck equipped with an articulated boom crane.

[0003] Such cranes include: a support structure, attached to the bridge, and an articulated boom, carried by said support structure, means of maneuvering, for the maneuvering of said articulated boom between a working position (deployed) and a rest position (folded), and control means, for piloting said means of maneuvering.

[0004] In addition, the articulated boom includes a main boom and a terminal boom, in series.

[0005] Generally, these cranes spend most of their time in a resting position.

[0006] They can then withstand the stresses that can occur during a storm, when the movements of the machine and the wind induce forces on the crane.

[0007] To contribute to this resistance, the machines often include a solution to support the boom when operated in this resting position.

[0008] A traditional solution involves the use of a boom rest, commonly called a "boom rest", which is erected from the bridge and arranged to rest under the main boom (advantageously horizontally).

[0009] This boom support is therefore relatively long, approximately the length of the support structure.

[0010] However, this approach has significant drawbacks.

[0011] The boom support, in addition to consuming valuable space on the machine's deck, is a relatively heavy construction.

[0012] Indeed, the weight of this boom support itself, combined with the loads applied by the articulated boom in the rest position, requires additional reinforcement of the machine's bridge.

[0013] This structural overload, and the need for a dedicated space for the boom support, represent significant constraints in the design of cranes for machinery, limiting operational efficiency and flexibility of use.

[0014] Thus, there is a clear need for a more efficient and economical solution to ensure the stability of machine cranes in the resting position. Presentation of the invention

[0015] In order to remedy the aforementioned drawback of the prior art, the present invention proposes a device for offshore application, comprising a deck equipped with an articulated boom crane.

[0016] The crane includes: a support structure, attached to said bridge, and an articulated boom, carried by said support structure, means of operation, for the operation of said articulated boom between a working position and a rest position, and control means, for the piloting of said means of operation.

[0017] The articulated boom comprises a main boom and a terminal boom, in series, which terminal boom has a head opposite said support structure.

[0018] And, according to the invention, said bridge is equipped with a cradle, at a distance from the support structure, which includes a receiving portion on which the head of said terminal boom is intended to rest in said resting position.

[0019] Such a technical solution offers several advantages over the previous art: It frees up valuable space on the deck, as such a cradle is significantly less bulky compared to the traditional solution; it significantly eliminates the dead weight of the cradle; it reduces the need for reinforcements under the deck, as the interface loads are lower.

[0020] Other non-limiting and advantageous characteristics of the product according to the invention, taken individually or in all technically possible combinations, are as follows: The bridge is equipped with said cradle and is devoid of an additional support for the main boom; the cradle is installed on the bridge so that, in the rest position, the terminal boom has an angle ranging from 0 to 10° with respect to the vertical; the cradle consists of a column, erected on the bridge, which comprises: -- a lower end fixed to the bridge, and -- an upper end comprising the receiving portion; - the head of the terminal boom and the receiving portion have complementary surfaces, for example complementary cylindrical surfaces, adapted to cooperate by interlocking; the head of the terminal boom has two bearing members, on either side of said head, and the receiving portion comprises two receiving strips which are intended to come on either side of said head and each to receive one of said bearing members;Each receiving strip advantageously comprises at least one inclined flap (or possibly two inclined flaps, in a V-shape) which terminates, at one lower end, in a notch intended to receive said support member; said at least one inclined flap advantageously comprises a coating adapted to limit friction; the crane comprises locking means for locking the crane in its rest position.

[0021] The present invention further relates to a method of maneuvering the crane on a machine according to the invention, between said working position and said resting position.

[0022] During its maneuver from the working position to the resting position, the crane is maneuvered so that the head of the terminal boom is maneuvered towards the cradle until it rests on the receiving portion.

[0023] Preferably, in the rest position, the terminal arrow has an angle ranging from 0 to 10° with respect to the vertical.

[0024] Of course, the different features, variants and embodiments of the invention can be combined with each other in various ways as long as they are not incompatible or mutually exclusive. Detailed description of the invention

[0025] Furthermore, various other features of the invention become apparent from the attached description made with reference to the drawings which illustrate non-limiting embodiments of the invention and where: [ Fig. 1 ] is a schematic, side view illustrating a piece of equipment for offshore application, comprising a deck fitted with an articulated boom crane and a cradle adapted to receive the head of the articulated boom in the rest position; Fig. 2 ] is a partial and enlarged view of the figure 1illustrating in more detail the head of the articulated arrow, seen from the side; [ Fig. 3 ] is a partial and enlarged view of the figure 1 illustrating in more detail the head of the articulated arrow, seen from the field; [ Fig. 4 ] is a partial and enlarged view of the figure 1 illustrating the cradle in more detail, seen in perspective; [ Fig. 5 ] is a partial and enlarged view of the figure 1 illustrating the cradle in more detail, seen from the side; [ Fig. 6 ] is a partial and enlarged view of the figure 1 illustrating in more detail the cooperation between the articulated boom head and the cradle, seen from the side; [ Fig. 7 ] is a partial and enlarged view of the figure 1 illustrating in more detail the cooperation between the head of the articulated boom and the cradle, field view.

[0026] It should be noted that, in these figures, the structural and / or functional elements common to the different variants may have the same references.

[0027] The present invention relates to a device 1 for offshore application (represented very partially on the figure 1 ), comprising a bridge 2 equipped with an articulated boom crane 3 4.

[0028] Crane 3 is thus adapted to be carried on board the "offshore" craft 1, for example a service operation vessel (also called "Service Operation Vessel").

[0029] The term "engine" includes in particular marine vehicles, notably ships, for example a vessel for wind farm operation service (also called "wind farm Service Operation Vessel" or "wind farm SOV" in English).

[0030] Such a crane 3 is therefore useful, without being limiting, for the maneuvering of tools and spare parts for intervention on offshore wind turbines.

[0031] As further developed, the articulated boom 4 is intended to be maneuvered between a working position and a resting position.

[0032] And, according to the invention subsequently developed, the bridge 2 is equipped with a cradle 10, advantageously forming a boom support, on which the articulated boom 4 is intended to rest in the rest position. Crane

[0033] The articulated boom crane 3 4, also known as a "crane" or "knuckle boom crane" in English, is suitable for offshore applications.

[0034] Such a crane 3 with an articulated boom 4 is described for example, without limitation, in document FR3117099.

[0035] As schematically illustrated on the figure 1 The articulated boom crane 3 includes: - a support structure 5 (also called "crane house"), forming the interface of the crane 3 with the machine 1, - the articulated boom 4 (also called "knuckle boom"), carried by the support structure 5, - maneuvering means 6, for the maneuvering of the articulated boom 4 and in particular of its downstream end described later, and - control means 7, for piloting these maneuvering means 6.

[0036] The support structure 5 advantageously consists of a shaft or mast. This support structure 5 is fixed to the bridge 2.

[0037] Preferably, this support structure 5 includes articulation means 51 (also called "slewing mechanism"), for example a slewing ring with ball bearing, to define a pivoting movement of the articulated boom 4 around a pivot axis 5' (also called "slewing").

[0038] This pivot axis 5' thus gives a degree of rotational freedom to the articulated boom 4, advantageously perpendicular to the bridge 2.

[0039] The articulated boom 4 comprises two boom sections 41, 42 (also called arms or sections), assembled in series from the support structure 5: - a main boom 41 (also called "main boom"), upstream or proximal, and - a terminal boom 42 (also called "jib"), downstream or distal.

[0040] The main arrow 41 and the terminal arrow 42 each include: - an upstream end 411, 421, located on the side of the support structure 5, and - a downstream end 412, 422, located at a distance from the support structure 5.

[0041] The support structure 5 and the upstream end 411 of the main boom 41 cooperate by means of upstream articulation means 45 to define an oscillation movement of said main boom 41 along an upstream articulation axis 45' (also called "luffing" or lifting movement), advantageously horizontal and perpendicular to the pivot axis 5'.

[0042] Thus, the main boom 41 is intended to be maneuvered in rotation relative to the support structure 5, around this upstream articulation axis 45' located at its upstream end 411.

[0043] The downstream end 412 of the main boom 41 and the upstream end 421 of the terminal boom 42 cooperate by means of downstream articulation means 46 to define a folding movement of said terminal boom 42 along a downstream articulation axis 46' (called "folding"), advantageously horizontal and perpendicular to the pivot axis 5'.

[0044] Thus, the terminal boom 42 is intended to be maneuvered in rotation relative to the main boom 41, around the downstream articulation axis 46' located at its upstream end 421.

[0045] The upstream articulation means 45 and the downstream articulation means 46 advantageously consist of articulations, for example in the form of rolling bearings, which are provided between the assembled ends (for example of the bearing / trunnion type).

[0046] The upstream articulation axis 45' and the downstream articulation axis 46' extend parallel to each other, advantageously horizontally.

[0047] And the terminal arrow 42 has a head opposite the support structure 5, corresponding here to the downstream end 422 of the terminal arrow 42 ( figures 2 and 3 ).

[0048] Preferably, the head 422 (designated by the same reference as the downstream end 422 of the terminal boom 42, for simplicity) also refers to the downstream end 422 of the articulated boom 4 from which extend at least one cable 8 and at least one fastening interface 9 (for example a hook or other device for securing a load).

[0049] According to a preferred embodiment, the head 422 of the terminal boom 42 includes at least one support member 4221 which is intended to cooperate with a complementary surface of the aforementioned cradle 10.

[0050] The head 422 of the terminal boom 42 and the cradle 10 thus advantageously have complementary surfaces, for example complementary cylindrical surfaces, adapted to cooperate by interlocking.

[0051] In this sense, said at least one support member 4221 advantageously consists of a cylindrical support member (advantageously projecting laterally).

[0052] Preferably, this head 422 includes two support members 4221, arranged on either side of the head 422.

[0053] These support members 4221 extend advantageously coaxially and perpendicularly with respect to a general plane of the head 422.

[0054] In other words, the support members 4221 extend parallel to the upstream articulation axis 45' and the downstream articulation axis 46'.

[0055] Furthermore, in general, the downstream end 422 of the terminal boom 42 is moved in space by the maneuvering means 6 which are controlled by the control means 7.

[0056] In particular, the downstream end 422 is mobile on the three axes (also called dimensions or directions), advantageously according to a position defined in a Cartesian coordinate system, namely advantageously: - the width (left / right) of the x-axis, or abscissa, horizontal, - the depth (front / back) of the y-axis, or ordinate, horizontal, and - the height (top / bottom) of the z-axis, or dimension, vertical.

[0057] To this end, maneuvering means 6 include: - at least one pivoting actuator 61, to generate the pivoting movement of said articulated boom 4, - at least one first linear actuator 62 (also called "luffing cylinder"), for example one linear actuator or two parallel linear actuators, to generate the oscillation movement of the main boom 41 around its upstream articulation axis 45' (lifting), and - at least one second linear actuator 63 (also called "folding cylinder"), for example one linear actuator or two parallel linear actuators, to generate the folding movement of the terminal boom 42 around its downstream articulation axis 46'.

[0058] The means of operation 6 are adapted to the operation of the articulated boom 4 between a working position and a resting position.

[0059] In general, the working position advantageously corresponds to the state in which the articulated boom 4 is deployed and ready to perform lifting operations.

[0060] Conversely, the resting position advantageously corresponds to the position of the crane 3 when it is not in use. The articulated boom 4 is folded or partially folded; the crane 3 is, in particular, ready to withstand inclement weather safely.

[0061] Preferably, in working position, the control means 7 are designed to control the maneuvering means 6 so as to stabilize (in space, advantageously along the three axes) the downstream end 422 of the terminal boom 42.

[0062] For this purpose, the control means 7 advantageously include an active compensation module (also called "Active 3D Compensation") which is designed to control the maneuvering means 6, taking into account data from a motion acquisition module (also called "MRU" for "Motion Reference Unit"), so as to stabilize the downstream end 422 of the terminal boom 42.

[0063] The active compensation module is thus structured to control the maneuvering means 6 in order to compensate for the movements of the crane 3, and in particular of the downstream end 422 of the terminal boom 42, caused by the waves.

[0064] Such an active compensation module thus offers precise positioning of the downstream end 422 of the terminal boom 42, allowing this downstream end 422 of the terminal boom 42 to be maintained in a constant position.

[0065] Preferably, the maneuver towards the rest position is ensured by the control means 7 which are designed to pilot the maneuvering means 6 so as to position the downstream end 422 of the terminal boom 42 at the level of the cradle 10.

[0066] In general, the crane 3 may optionally include locking means for locking the crane 3 in its rest position (for example, mechanical locking means at the joints and / or operating means 6, in particular a set of pins). Cradle

[0067] According to the invention, the bridge 2 is equipped with a cradle 10 which is located at a distance from the support structure 5.

[0068] This cradle 10 is designed to receive the head 422 of the terminal boom 42, when the articulated boom 4 is in the rest position.

[0069] Preferably, bridge 2 is equipped with a boom support consisting of this cradle 10, positioned at a distance from the support structure 5, without additional support for the main boom.

[0070] In other words, the boom support is entirely made in the form of the cradle 10, without including other support elements, especially for the main boom.

[0071] In other words, bridge 2 lacks additional support for the main boom 41.

[0072] In the absence of intermediate support under the main boom, the design allows a significant reduction in the footprint on the deck, while ensuring effective support of the articulated boom in its folded configuration.

[0073] This architecture simplifies the structure of the machine and optimizes the available space on the deck, notably by removing the constraints related to the integration of a main boom support.

[0074] Furthermore, it reduces the structural load applied to the bridge, thus reducing the need for additional reinforcements.

[0075] By concentrating the boom support only at the level of the terminal boom, the invention advantageously offers a more compact, lighter and better-suited solution to the operational constraints of offshore equipment.

[0076] Preferably, as shown on the figure 1 , the cradle 10 is implanted on the bridge 2 so that, in the rest position, the terminal boom 42 has an angle N ranging from 0 to 10° with respect to the vertical V.

[0077] This angle N corresponds advantageously to the angle formed between: - a longitudinal axis 42' passing through the terminal arrow 42, and - the vertical V, preferably oriented perpendicularly with respect to bridge 2.

[0078] Preferably, in the rest position, the terminal arrow 42 is divergent with respect to the support structure 5, in the direction of bridge 2.

[0079] For this, as shown on the figures 4 and following, the cradle 10 includes a receiving portion 101 on which the head 422 of the terminal boom 42 is intended to rest.

[0080] Preferably, cradle 10, partially represented on the figure 4 , is secured to bridge 2 via an interface or a base.

[0081] According to a preferred embodiment, the cradle 10 consists of a column (or post or upright), erected on the bridge 2.

[0082] This crib 10 includes: - a lower end 102 secured with bridge 2, and - an upper end 103 comprising the receiving portion 101.

[0083] As mentioned previously, the head 422 of the terminal boom 42 and the receiving portion 101 of the cradle 10 have complementary surfaces, for example complementary cylindrical surfaces, adapted to cooperate by interlocking.

[0084] In this case, the receiving portion 101 advantageously comprises two receiving strips 1011 which are intended to come on either side of the head 422 and to each receive one of the support members 4221.

[0085] The two 1011 reception bands extend advantageously at a distance from each other and parallel to each other (advantageously symmetrical with respect to each other).

[0086] The spacing between these two receiving bands 1011 is adapted for the passage of the head 422 of the arrow ends 42 in the rest position.

[0087] Preferably, each receiving strip 1011 includes at least one inclined flap 1011a which terminates, at a lower end 1011a1, with a notch 1011b intended to receive a support member 4221.

[0088] The notch 1011b here consists of a generally U-shaped notch (advantageously opening upwards), comprising two lateral walls 1011b1 (advantageously parallel) connected by a bottom wall 1011b2 in the form of an arc of a circle ( figure 5 ).

[0089] The distance between the side walls 1011b1 advantageously corresponds, within the clearance, to the diameter of one of the support members 4221. And the radius of the bottom wall 1011b2 advantageously corresponds, within the clearance, to the radius of the support member 4221.

[0090] The axis passing through 1011b' of the notches 1011b (illustrated on the figure 5 ) extends advantageously perpendicularly with respect to the pivot axis 5' of the articulated boom 4.

[0091] Preferably, each receiving strip 1011 includes two inclined flaps 1011a, in V shape, which meet at the notch 1011b, to guide the fitting of the support members 4221.

[0092] Preferably, a first inclined flap 1011a has a greater length compared to a second inclined flap 1011a, in order to serve as a guide ramp.

[0093] Said at least one inclined flap 1011a advantageously includes a coating adapted to limit friction during the movement of the support members 4221 (for example a plastic sheet with a thickness ranging from 5 to 15 mm). Maneuvering procedure

[0094] Crane 3 is thus intended to be maneuvered, during a maneuvering procedure, between the working position and the resting position.

[0095] During its maneuver from the working position to the resting position, the crane 3 is maneuvered so that the head 422 of the terminal boom 42 is maneuvered towards the cradle 10 until this head 422 rests on the receiving portion 101 ( figures 6 and 7 ).

[0096] In this case, preferably, the head 422 is operated so that: - the support members 4221 come to rest on the inclined flaps 1011a, then - the support members 4221 travel along the length of the inclined flaps 1011a until they come to rest in the respective notches 1011b.

[0097] In the rest position, the terminal arrow 42 has an angle N ranging from 0 to 10° with respect to the vertical V ( figure 1 ).

[0098] In this resting position, the head 422 is mechanically locked with the cradle 10, ensuring optimal safety.

[0099] During its maneuver from the rest position to the working position, the crane 3 is maneuvered so that the head 422 of the terminal boom 42 is moved away from the cradle 10.

[0100] In this case, preferably, the head 422 is operated so that the support members 4221 are extracted vertically with respect to the respective notches 1011b.

[0101] Of course, various other modifications can be made to the invention within the scope of the attached claims.

Claims

1. Equipment (1) for offshore application, comprising a deck (2) equipped with a crane (3) with an articulated boom (4), which crane (3) comprises: - a support structure (5), fixed to said deck (2), and - an articulated boom (4), carried by said support structure (5), - maneuvering means (6), for maneuvering said articulated boom (4) between a working position and a rest position, and - control means (7), for piloting said maneuvering means (6), which articulated boom (4) comprises a main boom (41) and a terminal boom (42), in series, which terminal boom (42) comprises a head (422) opposite said support structure (5), characterized in that said bridge (2) is equipped with a cradle (10), at a distance from the support structure (5), which includes a receiving portion (101) on which the head (422) of said terminal boom (42) is intended to rest in said rest position.

2. Gear (1) for offshore application, according to claim 1, characterized in that the bridge (2) is equipped with said cradle (10) and is devoid of an additional support for the main boom (41).

3. Gear (1) for offshore application, according to any one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the cradle (10) is implanted on the bridge (2) so that, in the rest position, the terminal boom (42) has an angle N ranging from 0 to 10° with respect to the vertical (V).

4. Gear (1) for offshore application, according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the cradle (10) consists of a column, erected on the bridge (2), which includes: - a lower end (102) secured to the bridge (2), and - an upper end (103) comprising the receiving portion (101).

5. Gear (1) for offshore application, according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in thatthe head (422) of the terminal arrow (42) and the receiving portion (101) have complementary surfaces, for example complementary cylindrical surfaces, adapted to cooperate by interlocking.

6. Gear (1) for offshore application, according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the head (422) of the terminal boom (42) has two support members (4221), on either side of said head (422), and in that the receiving portion (101) includes two receiving strips (1011) which are intended to come on either side of said head (422) and to receive each one of said support members (4221).

7. Gear (1) for offshore application, according to claim 6, characterized in that Each receiving strip (1011) includes at least one inclined flap (1011a) which terminates, at a lower end (1011a1), with a notch (1011b) intended to receive said support member (4221).

8. Gear (1) for offshore application, according to claim 7, characterized in that said at least one inclined flap (1011a) has a coating adapted to limit friction.

9. Gear (1) for offshore application, according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the crane (3) includes locking means for locking the crane (3) in its rest position.

10. Method for maneuvering the crane (3) on a machine (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, between said working position and said rest position, characterized in that , during its maneuver from the working position to the resting position, the crane (3) is maneuvered so that the head (422) of the terminal boom (42) is maneuvered towards the cradle (10) until it rests on the receiving portion (101).

11. Method for operating the crane (3) according to claim 10, characterized in that, in the rest position, the terminal arrow (42) has an angle N ranging from 0 to 10° with respect to the vertical (V).

Images