MOTORIZED SCAFFOLD STRUCTURE

Abstract

A motorized scaffolding structure characterized in that it comprises a modular tubular structure (1) which in turn comprises two vertical substructures (2) arranged facing each other and leaving a central space between them, said vertical substructures (2) being joined at their upper end by a top closing substructure (3) or roof, being configured as a gable roof, wherein each of the vertical substructures (2) is attached to carriages (5) provided with wheels (9) that move them along rails (6), wherein the movement of each of the carriages (5) is carried out by means of a rack and pinion system, where each pinion is driven by a motor (12) and they are powered by batteries.

Description

MOTORIZED SCAFFOLD STRUCTURE OBJECT OF THE INVENTION The object of the present invention, as stated in the title of the invention, is a motorized scaffolding structure for carrying out work on large structures as well as the surface treatment of large poles, particularly the poles of offshore wind turbines on which an anti-corrosion treatment is carried out. The present invention is characterized by the special design and configuration of each and every one of the elements that form part of a motorized structure so that access is achieved to all areas of a structure on which work is to be done, providing the structure with motorized means of displacement and complementarily with heat-shrinkable enclosures or tarpaulins. Therefore, the present invention falls within the technical sector of mobile modular structures intended for environmental containment and surface treatment of large industrial structures, with special application in construction engineering, and anti-corrosion maintenance processes in open-air environments. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The manufacture of large towers or poles, also known in the industry as monopiles, requires the application of highly durable surface coatings to resist the corrosion inherent in the marine environment. This requirement necessitates carrying out the painting and treatment work under strictly controlled environmental conditions. The industrial problem this Utility Model addresses centers on the limitation of internal infrastructure. Current manufacturing facilities lack sufficient enclosed spaces suitable for accommodating the large volume and size of the poles or monopiles during the painting phases. This logistical inefficiency creates a significant storage problem for large structures, causing delays in the delivery of manufactured poles or monopiles. Conventional temporary enclosure solutions or mobile industrial tents are often insufficient to handle the challenges imposed by this application: the scale of the structures (15.5 meters high), the need for controlled movement, and the high exposure to extreme coastal wind conditions. 1. Inadequate Movement Control: Moving such massive structures on extensive rails requires precise management of inertia and longitudinal alignment. Cable-driven (winches) or friction-based movement devices (Option 2 mentioned in Documentation 1) cannot guarantee the necessary synchronization between support trolleys, increasing the risk of derailment, structural buckling, or damage to the tubular scaffolding. The lack of continuous positive traction in conventional drag solutions makes them unsuitable for ensuring the safety and longevity of the tent. 2. Vulnerability of the Climate Enclosure: Tents using standard tarpaulins lack the surface tension required to withstand strong winds, resulting in flapping, rapid wear, and eventual tearing. This compromises the integrity of the controlled environment, jeopardizing the quality of anti-corrosion surface treatments. In a coastal environment, the tarpaulin must act as a taut "skin" to mitigate dynamic wind loads. 3. Energy Dependence and Operational Restrictions: Traditional motorized devices require a constant and robust connection to the electrical grid. This involves deploying and managing long power supply cables along the rail path (up to 96 meters), which adds operational complexity, increases installation costs, and presents electrical safety risks. Therefore, the object of the present invention is to overcome the difficulties present in the state of the art arising from the difficulties of being able to apply surface treatments to large poles or monopiles that have a diameter of up to 10 meters, particularly in relation to the lack of synchronized displacement, vulnerability to climatic conditions and their energy dependence, by developing a motorized scaffolding structure as described below and included in its essential aspects in claim one. DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The object of the present invention is set out in its essentials in the independent claim and the different embodiments are set out in the dependent claims. The present invention relates to a motorized scaffolding structure consisting of a modular tubular structure comprising two vertical substructures joined at their upper end by a roof substructure, shaped like a gable roof, where each of the vertical substructures at its base or lower part is attached to carriages that move along rails joined together by means of crossbeams, where the movement of each of the carriages is carried out by means of a rack and pinion system, where each pinion is driven by a motor, both motors being driven in a synchronized manner and powered by means of batteries. The structure incorporates a key element for operational functionality: removable brackets located at the lower and upper working levels. The ability to detach these brackets allows the work platforms to be safely moved closer to or further away from the monopile's curved surface, as required by the application. Crucially, their removal ensures they do not obstruct longitudinal movement or the initial positioning of the structure. The motorized scaffolding structure of the invention may additionally be equipped with a tarpaulin enclosure. In a preferred, non-limiting embodiment, the following may be included: - Front and rear tarpaulins. These PVC tarpaulins are fixed to steel supports and have the function of adapting to the variable geometry of the different diameters of monopiles at the ends of the structure, sealing the entrance and exit of the structure. - Side and Roof Tarpaulins (Heat Shrink): This is a distinguishing feature of the model. These are heat shrink tarpaulins, designed to be tensioned and perfectly fitted to the tubular structure through the application of heat. This thermal process results in a taut and firm surface layer on the sides and roof of the structure. The resulting surface rigidity ensures efficient protection against rain and wind, mitigating the swaying effect that would compromise structural stability and the quality of the painting process. The choice of heat-shrinkable sheeting directly addresses the need to maintain a controlled and structurally sound environment. By eliminating movement and slack in the sheeting, optimal curing conditions for marine coatings are ensured, and the dynamic load on the tubular scaffolding structure is reduced, increasing the safety and lifespan of the enclosure. The movement of the two motors arranged on each of the two carriages that make up the structure is synchronized, which ensures that both sides of the structure advance at exactly the same speed, avoiding torsional forces and longitudinal bias that could induce the derailment of the modular tubular structure. The movement is designed for smooth and coordinated motion at a constant, controlled speed of approximately 2.5 meters per minute, with a maximum travel time between the initial and final positions of 25 minutes. This time can be reduced, but is preferable to 1.98 meters per minute with a maximum travel time of 40 minutes for large structures and 20 minutes for smaller structures. The use of a rack and pinion system allows for smooth starts and stops, precise speed control, and the incorporation of brakes and limit switches for accurate stops, thus optimizing process safety. One highly useful feature is the power supply configuration. The motors operate using portable batteries that provide over 5 hours of autonomy. The implementation of this autonomous power source is a significant improvement in terms of agility and safety. It eliminates the need for complex additional electrical installations along the long rail lines and avoids the use of kilometer-long power cables that could pose an operational or logistical risk in the shipyard environment. Additionally, but not limited to, the structure may include the following safety features: - Anemometer, which prevents the structure from moving for winds exceeding 11 m / s. - Starting and ending position limits - Anti-collision limit switches between structures - Mechanical anti-collision system (buffer). Thanks to the described features, a modular, mobile and motorized configuration is achieved that guarantees: - The creation of a sheltered and controlled working environment for outdoor surface treatment. - A precise, smooth and coordinated longitudinal displacement of the structure along the structure to be treated, using a rack and pinion mechanism with synchronized motorization. - The autonomous operation of the movement mechanism thanks to a portable battery power supply, eliminating the need for fixed electrical infrastructure along the route. - Reinforced structural stability and a high-performance airtight enclosure, optimized to withstand aerodynamic loads in adverse wind conditions, thanks to the use of heat-shrinkable tarpaulins and specific anchoring safety protocols. Unless otherwise stated, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the meanings commonly understood by a person skilled in the art to which this invention pertains. Similar or equivalent procedures and materials to those described herein may be used in the practice of this invention. Throughout the description and claims, the word "comprises" and its variants are not intended to exclude other technical features, additives, components, or steps. For those skilled in the art, other objects, advantages, and features of the invention will become apparent partly from the description and partly from the practice of the invention. EXPLANATION OF THE FIGURES To complement the description being made and in order to help a better understanding of the characteristics of the invention, according to a preferred example of its practical embodiment, a set of drawings is included as an integral part of said description, in which the following has been represented for illustrative and non-limiting purposes. In Figure 1 we can observe a front view of the motorized scaffolding structure that is the subject of the invention. Figure 2 shows a perspective representation of one of the two carts used in the movement of the motorized scaffolding structure. Figure 3 shows a detail of the rails and rack used for the movement of the motorized scaffolding structure. Figure 4 shows a detail of one of the motors associated with one of the racks. Figure 5 shows a detail of the support guides to the pole or monopile and the safety bracing. Figure 6 shows a possible distribution pattern for the enclosure tarpaulins. Figure 7 shows a second possible way of distributing the enclosure tarpaulins. PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION In view of the figures, a preferred embodiment of the proposed invention is described below. In Figure 1 we can observe from the front the motorized scaffolding structure which, as can be seen, comprises a modular tubular structure (1) which in turn comprises two vertical substructures (2) arranged facing each other and leaving a central space between them, said vertical substructures (2) being joined at their upper end by a top closing substructure (3) or roof, being configured as a gable roof. Each of the vertical substructures (2) is divided into a series of working levels (4), preferably five, and also has on its inner face some side passage platforms (7), on the other hand, the base of each vertical substructure (2) is joined to some displacement carriages (5) by some rails (6). The post or monopile (8) would be housed in the interior space defined by the vertical substructures (2) and the upper closing substructure (3). The vertical substructures (2) are braced to the ground by means of counterweights (14) attached to said vertical substructures (2) by means of tie rods (15). Figure 2 shows a displacement cart (5), which is a structure that moves along rails (6) by means of wheels (9) fixed to the structure of each displacement cart (5). Each displacement cart (5) is fixed and attached to the lower part of each vertical substructure (2) of the modular tubular structure (1) of the motorized structure. In Figure 3 it can be seen that the displacement rails (6) are joined together by means of crossbeams (10), these crossbeams (10) serving to fix a rack (11) that runs longitudinally and parallel to the rails (6). In Figure 4, a motor (12) is shown that is fixed on the displacement carriage (5), where said motor (12) has a pinion (not represented) that meshes with the rack (11), so that when the motor (12) is actuated, the associated pinion rotates and, being meshed on the rack (11), the displacement carriage (5) advances and therefore the entire structure. Figure 5 shows additional elements used in the structure such as guide supports (16) to the posts, and bracing (17) that fixes the post or monopile (8). Figures 6 and 7 show a possible way of carrying out the enclosure of the modular structure (1), which on the one hand can have, a first tarpaulin (18) for protection of the roof and side faces where the work platforms are located, with a second tarpaulin (19) for front and rear closure that adjusts to the geometry of the monopile when the tent is in the working phase, and finally, a third tarpaulin (20) for front closure when the tent is in the initial position and thus prevent the entry of wind into the interior. Having sufficiently described the nature of the present invention, as well as the manner of putting it into practice, it is stated that, within its essential nature, it may be put into practice in other forms of embodiment that differ in detail from the one indicated as an example, and which will also achieve the protection sought, provided that it does not alter, change or modify its fundamental principle.

Claims

1. A motorized scaffolding structure characterized in that it comprises a modular tubular structure (1) which in turn comprises two vertical substructures (2) arranged facing each other and leaving a central space between them, said vertical substructures (2) being joined at their upper end by a top closing substructure (3) or cover, being configured as a gable roof, where each of the vertical substructures (2) is attached to carriages (5) provided with wheels (9) that move them along rails (6), where the movement of each of the carriages (5) is carried out by means of a rack and pinion system, where each pinion is driven by a motor (12) and they are powered by batteries. 2.A motorized scaffold structure for the protection and operation of large equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that each vertical substructure (2) is divided into a series of working levels (4), and furthermore, has lateral access platforms (7) on its inner face.

3. A motorized scaffold structure for the protection and operation of large equipment according to claim 2, characterized in that each of the vertical substructures (2) is braced to the ground by means of counterweights (14) connected to said vertical substructures (2) by means of tie rods (15).

4. A motorized scaffold structure for the protection and operation of large equipment according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the travel rails (6) are connected to each other by means of crossbeams (10), these crossbeams (10) serving to fix the rack (11) which runs longitudinally and parallel to the rails (6). 5.A motorized scaffolding structure for the protection and operation of large equipment according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that it has a tarpaulin enclosure comprising: - front and rear tarpaulins fixed to steel supports; - heat-shrinkable side and roof tarpaulins: designed to be tensioned and perfectly fitted to the tubular structure by the application of heat.

6. A motorized scaffolding structure for the protection and operation of large equipment according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that it has the following safety features: - An anemometer, which prevents the structure from moving in winds exceeding 11 m / s. - Initial and final position limit switches. - Anti-collision limit switches between structures. - Anti-collision mechanical buffer system.