Equipment for offshore applications, comprising a deck equipped with an articulated boom crane

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 rest position. Figure for the abstract: 1

Description

Title of the invention: Equipment for offshore application, comprising a deck equipped with an articulated boom crane. 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 application, in particular ships, includes a deck equipped with an articulated boom crane.

[0003] Such cranes include:

[0004] - a support structure, fixed to the bridge, and

[0005] - an articulated boom, supported by said support structure,

[0006] - means of maneuvering, for the maneuvering of said articulated boom between a working position (extended) and a resting position (folded), and

[0007] - control means, for piloting said maneuvering means.

[0008] In addition, the articulated boom comprises a main boom and a terminal boom, in series.

[0009] Generally, these cranes spend most of their time in a resting position.

[0010] 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.

[0011] To participate in this resistance, the devices often include a solution to support the boom being operated in this rest position.

[0012] A traditional solution involves the use of a boom support, commonly called a "boom rest", which is erected from the bridge and arranged to rest under the main boom (advantageously horizontally).

[0013] This boom support is then relatively long, approximately the length of the support structure.

[0014] However, this approach has significant drawbacks.

[0015] The boom support, in addition to consuming valuable space on the deck of the machine, constitutes a relatively heavy construction.

[0016] Indeed, the self-weight of this boom support, combined with the loads applied by the articulated boom in the rest position, requires additional reinforcement of the bridge of the machine.

[0017] 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.

[0018] Thus, there is an obvious need for a more efficient and economical solution to ensure the stability of machine cranes in the rest position. Presentation of the invention

[0019] 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.

[0020] The crane comprises:

[0021] - a support structure, secured to said bridge, and

[0022] - an articulated boom, supported by said support structure,

[0023] - means of maneuvering, for maneuvering said articulated boom between a working position and a resting position, and

[0024] - control means, for piloting said maneuvering means.

[0025] The articulated boom comprises a main boom and a terminal boom, in series, which terminal boom has a head opposite said support structure.

[0026] 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 rest position.

[0027] Such a technical solution offers several advantages over the prior art:

[0028] - it frees up valuable space on the deck, because such a cradle is significantly less bulky compared to the traditional solution;

[0029] - it significantly eliminates the dead weight of the cradle;

[0030] - it reduces the need for reinforcements under the bridge, because the interface loads are more weak.

[0031] Other non-limiting and advantageous features of the product according to the invention, taken individually or in all technically possible combinations, are as follows:

[0032] - the cradle is mounted on the bridge so that, in the rest position, the boom terminal presents an angle ranging from 0 to 10° with respect to the vertical;

[0033] - the cradle consists of a column, erected on the bridge, which comprises:

[0034] — a lower end secured to the bridge, and

[0035] — an upper end comprising the receiving portion;

[0036] - the head of the terminal boom and the receiving portion comprise surfaces complementary, for example complementary cylindrical surfaces, adapted to cooperate by interlocking;

[0037] - the head of the terminal boom has two support 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 support members; each receiving strip advantageously comprises at least one inclined flap (possibly two inclined flaps, in a V shape) which terminates, at the level of a lower end, by a notch intended to receive said support member; said at least one inclined flap advantageously comprises a coating adapted to limit friction;

[0038] - the crane includes locking means for locking the crane in its resting position.

[0039] 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.

[0040] 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.

[0041] Preferably, in the rest position, the terminal arrow has an angle ranging from 0 to 10° with respect to the vertical.

[0042] Of course, the various features, variants, and embodiments of the invention can be combined in various ways, provided they are not incompatible or mutually exclusive. Detailed description of the invention

[0043] In addition, 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:

[0044] [Fig-1] is a schematic, side view illustrating a device for application offshore, comprising a bridge equipped with an articulated boom crane and a cradle adapted to receive the head of the articulated boom in the rest position;

[0045] [Fig. 2] is a partial and enlarged view of [Fig. 1], illustrating the head in more detail of the articulated boom, side view;

[0046] [Fig. 3] is a partial and enlarged view of [Fig. 1], illustrating the head in more detail of the articulated arrow, field view;

[0047] [Fig. 4] is a partial and enlarged view of [Fig. 1], illustrating in more detail the cradle, perspective view;

[0048] [Fig.5] is a partial and enlarged view of [Fig.1], illustrating in more detail the cradle, side view;

[0049] [Fig.6] is a partial and enlarged view of [Fig.1], illustrating in more detail the cooperation between the head of the articulated boom and the cradle, side view;

[0050] [Fig.7] is a partial and enlarged view of [Fig.1], illustrating in more detail the cooperation between the head of the articulated boom and the cradle, field view.

[0051] It should be noted that, in these figures, the structural and / or functional elements common to the different variants may have the same references.

[0052] The present invention relates to a device 1 for offshore application (represented very partially on [Fig.1]), comprising a bridge 2 equipped with a crane 3 with an articulated boom 4.

[0053] The 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").

[0054] By "craft", we include in particular marine craft, especially ships, for example a ship for wind farm operation service (also called "wind farm Service Operation Vessel" or "wind farm SOV" in English).

[0055] Such a crane 3 is thus useful, without being limiting, for the maneuvering of tools and spare parts for intervention on offshore wind turbines.

[0056] As further developed, the articulated boom 4 is intended to be maneuvered between a working position and a resting position.

[0057] And, according to the invention further developed, the bridge 2 is equipped with a cradle 10 on which the articulated boom 4 is intended to rest in the rest position. Crane

[0058] The articulated boom crane 3 4, also called a "crane" or "knuckle boom crane" in English, is suitable for offshore applications.

[0059] Such a crane 3 with an articulated boom 4 is described for example, without limitation, in document FR3117099.

[0060] As schematically illustrated in [Fig. 1], the articulated boom crane 3 comprises:

[0061] - a support structure 5 (also called "skull house"), forming the interface of the crane 3 with device 1,

[0062] - the articulated boom 4 (also called "knuckle boom"), supported by the support structure 5,

[0063] - maneuvering means 6, for maneuvering the articulated boom 4 and in in particular of its downstream end, described below, and

[0064] - control means 7, for piloting these maneuvering means 6.

[0065] The support structure 5 advantageously consists of a shaft or mast. This support structure 5 is fixed to the bridge 2.

[0066] 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 arrow 4 around a pivot axis 5' (also called "slewing").

[0067] This pivot axis 5' thus gives a degree of rotational freedom to the articulated boom 4, advantageously perpendicular to the bridge 2.

[0068] The articulated boom 4 comprises two boom parts 41, 42 (also called arms or sections), assembled in series from the support structure 5:

[0069] - a main boom 41 (also called a "main boom"), upstream or proximal, and

[0070] - a terminal arrow 42 (also called "jib"), downstream or distal.

[0071] The main arrow 41 and the terminal arrow 42 each comprise:

[0072] - an upstream end 411, 421, located on the side of the support structure 5, and

[0073] - a downstream end 412, 422, located at a distance from the support structure 5.

[0074] 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'.

[0075] 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.

[0076] 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'.

[0077] 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.

[0078] The upstream articulation means 45 and the downstream articulation means 46 advantageously consist of joints, for example in the form of rolling bearings, which are provided between the assembled ends (for example of the bearing / trunnion type).

[0079] The upstream articulation axis 45' and the downstream articulation axis 46' extend parallel to each other, advantageously horizontally.

[0080] 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).

[0081] Preferably, the head 422 (designated by the same reference as the downstream end 422 of the terminal boom 42, for the sake of 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 fastening a load).

[0082] According to a preferred embodiment, the head 422 of the terminal boom 42 comprises at least one support member 4221 which is intended to cooperate with a complementary surface of the aforementioned cradle 10.

[0083] The head 422 of the terminal boom 42 and the cradle 10 thus advantageously comprise complementary surfaces, for example complementary cylindrical surfaces, adapted to cooperate by interlocking.

[0084] In this sense, said at least one support member 4221 advantageously consists of a cylindrical support member (advantageously projecting laterally).

[0085] Preferably, this head 422 comprises two support members 4221, arranged on either side of the head 422.

[0086] These support members 4221 advantageously extend coaxially and perpendicularly with respect to a general plane of the head 422.

[0087] In other words, the support members 4221 extend parallel to the upstream articulation axis 45' and the downstream articulation axis 46'.

[0088] 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.

[0089] In particular, the downstream end 422 is movable on the three axes (also called dimensions or directions), advantageously according to a position defined in a Cartesian coordinate system, namely advantageously:

[0090] - the width (left / right) of the x-axis, or abscissa, horizontal,

[0091] - the depth (front / back) of the y-axis, or ordinate, horizontal, and

[0092] - the height (top / bottom) of the z-axis, or dimension, vertical.

[0093] To this end, the maneuvering means 6 comprise:

[0094] - at least one pivoting actuator 61, to generate the movement of pivoting of said articulated arrow 4,

[0095] - at least one first linear actuator 62 (also called a "luffy cylinder"), by for example, a linear actuator or two parallel linear actuators, to generate the oscillating movement of the main boom 41 around its upstream articulation axis 45' (lifting), and

[0096] - at least one second linear actuator 63 (also called a "folding cylinder"), by for example a linear actuator or two parallel linear actuators, to generate the folding movement of the terminal boom 42 around its downstream articulation axis 46'.

[0097] The maneuvering means 6 are adapted to the maneuvering of the articulated boom 4 between a working position and a resting position.

[0098] In general, the working position advantageously corresponds to the state in which the articulated boom 4 is deployed and ready to perform lifting operations.

[0099] 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.

[0100] Preferably, in working position, the control means 7 are designed to pilot the maneuvering means 6 so as to stabilize (in space, advantageously along the three axes) the downstream end 422 of the terminal boom 42.

[0101] 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.

[0102] 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.

[0103] Such an active compensation module thus offers precise positioning of the downstream end 422 of the terminal boom 42, making it possible to maintain this downstream end 422 of the terminal boom 42 in a constant position.

[0104] 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.

[0105] 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

[0106] According to the invention, the bridge 2 is equipped with a cradle 10 which is located at a distance from the support structure 5.

[0107] 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.

[0108] Preferably, as shown in [Fig.1], the cradle 10 is mounted 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.

[0109] This angle N advantageously corresponds to the angle formed between:

[0110] - a longitudinal axis 42' passing through the terminal arrow 42, and

[0111] - the vertical V, preferably oriented perpendicularly with respect to bridge 2.

[0112] Preferably, in the rest position, the terminal arrow 42 is divergent with respect to the support structure 5, in the direction of the bridge 2.

[0113] For this purpose, as shown in 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.

[0114] Preferably, the cradle 10, shown partially in [Fig.4], is secured to the bridge 2 via an interface or a base.

[0115] According to a preferred embodiment, the cradle 10 consists of a column (or post or upright), erected on the deck 2.

[0116] This crib 10 includes:

[0117] - a lower end 102 secured to bridge 2, and

[0118] - an upper end 103 comprising the receiving portion 101.

[0119] 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.

[0120] 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 receive each one of the support members 4221.

[0121] The two receiving bands 1011 extend advantageously at a distance from each other and parallel to each other (advantageously symmetrical with respect to each other).

[0122] The spacing between these two receiving strips 1011 is adapted for the passage of the head 422 of the arrow ends 42 in the rest position.

[0123] Preferably, each receiving strip 1011 includes at least one inclined flap 1011a which terminates, at the level of a lower end 1011 a1, with a notch 1011b intended to receive a support member 4221.

[0124] The notch 1011b here consists of a notch in the general shape of a U (advantageously opening upwards), comprising two lateral walls 101 Ibl (advantageously parallel) connected by a bottom wall 101 lb2 in an arc of a circle ([Fig.5]).

[0125] The distance between the side walls 101 Ibl advantageously corresponds, within the clearance, to the diameter of one of the support members 4221. And the radius of the bottom wall 101 lb2 advantageously corresponds, within the clearance, to the radius of the support member 4221.

[0126] The axis through 1011b' of the notches 1011b (illustrated in [Fig.5]) extends advantageously perpendicularly with respect to the pivot axis 5' of the articulated arrow 4.

[0127] Preferably, each receiving strip 1011 comprises two inclined flaps 101la, in V, which meet at the notch 1011b, to guide the fitting of the support members 4221.

[0128] Preferably, a first inclined flap 101 has a greater length compared to a second inclined flap 1011a, in order to serve as a guide ramp.

[0129] Said at least one inclined flap 1011a advantageously comprises a coating adapted to limit friction during the movement of the support members 4221 (for example, a plastic sheet having a thickness ranging from 5 to 15 mm). Operating method

[0130] The crane 3 is thus intended to be maneuvered, during a maneuvering procedure, between the working position and the resting position.

[0131] 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).

[0132] In this case, preferably, the head 422 is operated so that:

[0133] - the support members 4221 rest on the inclined flaps 1011a, then

[0134] - the support members 4221 run along the length of the inclined flaps 1011a until they fit into the respective 1011b notches.

[0135] In the rest position, the terminal arrow 42 has an angle N ranging from 0 to 10° with respect to the vertical V ([Fig. 1]).

[0136] In this resting position, the head 422 is mechanically locked with the cradle 10, ensuring optimal safety.

[0137] 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.

[0138] 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.

[0139] Of course, various other modifications can be made to the invention within the scope of the annexed claims.

Claims

Demands

1. Equipment (1) for offshore application, comprising a deck (2) equipped with a crane (3) with an articulated boom (4), said crane (3) comprising: - 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 resting position, and - control means (7), for piloting said maneuvering means (6), said articulated boom (4) comprising a main boom (41) and a terminal boom (42), in series, said terminal boom (42) comprising a head (422) opposite said support structure (5), characterized in that said deck (2) is equipped with a cradle (10), at a distance from the support structure (5), which comprises a receiving portion (101) on which the head (422) of said terminal boom (42) is intended to rest in said resting positionthe cradle (10) being mounted on the bridge (2) such that, in the rest position, the terminal boom (42) has an angle N ranging from 0 to 10° with respect to the vertical (V).

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

3. Gear (1) for offshore application, according to any one of claims 1 and 2, characterized in that the head (422) of the terminal boom (42) and the receiving portion (101) have complementary surfaces, for example complementary cylindrical surfaces, adapted to cooperate by interlocking.

4. Gear (1) for offshore application, according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the head (422) of the terminal boom (42) comprises two support members (4221), on either side of said head (422), and in that the receiving portion (101) comprises 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).

5. Device (1) for offshore application, according to claim 4, characterized in that each receiving strip (1011) comprises at least one inclined flap (1011a) which terminates, at the level of a lower end (1011a), by a notch (1011b) intended to receive said support member (4221).

6. Device (1) for offshore application, according to claim 5, characterized in that said at least one inclined flap (1011a) has a coating adapted to limit friction.

7. Device (1) for offshore application, according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the crane (3) comprises locking means, for locking the crane (3) in its rest position.

8. Method of maneuvering the crane (3) on a machine (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, between said working position and said rest position, characterized in that, during its maneuver from the working position to the rest 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) and in that, in the rest position, the terminal boom (42) has an angle N from 0 to 10° with respect to the vertical (V).

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