Method for transporting spherical gas holders or spherical tanks and transportation equipment used for this

Abstract

To provide a method and equipment for transporting a spherical gas holder or a spherical tank efficiently and with good workability. [Solution] This is a method and equipment in which self-propelled multi-axle transport carts D1 and D2 are advanced below a spherical gas holder 10 that is attached and supported by pillars P1 to P6 that are arranged circumferentially and spaced apart from each other on the ground G, and then hydraulic oil is supplied to the platform lifting actuators provided between the platform 22 and each axle 24 to raise the platform 22, and the spherical gas holder 10, with the pillars P1 to P6 attached, is pushed up and placed on the platform 22 for transport; adjacent pillars P1 to P6 circumferentially of the spherical gas holder 10 are connected by horizontal members H1 to H6, and these horizontal members H1 to H6 are pushed up by the platform 22 of the self-propelled multi-axle transport carts D1 and D2.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for transporting a spherical gas holder for storing gas such as city gas or a spherical tank for storing liquid such as LPG, and to a transport facility used therefor. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, spherical gas holders have been used to store gases such as city gas, and spherical tanks have been used to store liquids such as LPG. These spherical gas holders and spherical tanks may be constructed at a specific location, transported, and installed at a designated location on-site for use, or may be transported from a pre-installed location to another location, installed, and used continuously. The transportation of spherical gas holders and spherical tanks must be carried out in a state in which their quality is maintained without being impaired, and for example, a method is disclosed in Patent Document 1.

[0003] Specifically, this method involves transporting and installing a spherical tank supported by multiple pillars. A support frame that abuts against the curved lower surface of the spherical tank is placed on the ground below the spherical tank and inside the pillars, and then the support frame is lifted with a jack attached to it. The movement of the spherical tank is restricted by beams connecting the pillars to the support frame. A drive cart that can be raised and lowered is then inserted into the space between the support frame supported by the jack and the ground, onto which the spherical tank is loaded, and the tank is then transported to the installation location. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 6024898 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, in the method described in Patent Document 1, the spherical tank is transported while being supported by a support frame that comes into direct contact with the spherical tank. Therefore, it is necessary to perform a highly difficult strength analysis of the spherical tank to ensure that the quality of the spherical tank is not damaged by contact with the support frame and can be maintained, which makes the method inefficient and makes the work difficult.

[0006] An object of the present invention is to provide a method and equipment that can transport spherical gas holders or spherical tanks efficiently and with good workability. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The present inventors have conducted extensive research into transportation methods and equipment for supporting and transporting spherical gas holders or spherical tanks (hereinafter also referred to as spherical gas holders, etc.) that do not require the highly difficult strength analysis of spherical gas holders, etc. As a result, they have discovered that the above-mentioned problems can be solved by maintaining a state in which the spherical gas holders, etc. are supported by supports without directly supporting (directly contacting) the spherical gas holders, etc., specifically by connecting multiple supports to which the spherical gas holders, etc. are attached and supported, with horizontal members, and by pushing up these horizontal members with a self-propelled multi-axle transport cart, thereby completing the present invention.

[0008] The gist of the present invention is as follows. [1] A method for transporting a spherical gas holder or a spherical tank, comprising: moving a self-propelled multi-axle transport vehicle having a platform and multiple axles under a spherical gas holder or a spherical tank attached to and supported by multiple support columns arranged at intervals in the circumferential direction of the ground; supplying hydraulic oil to multiple platform lifting actuators respectively provided between the platform and each axle to raise the platform; and lifting the spherical gas holder or the spherical tank with the support columns attached, and placing it on the platform for transport; A method for transporting a spherical gas holder or a spherical tank, characterized in that adjacent support columns in the circumferential direction of the spherical gas holder or the spherical tank are connected with horizontal members, and the horizontal members are pushed up by the loading platform of the self-propelled multi-axle transport cart.

[0009] [2] A method for transporting a spherical gas holder or a spherical tank, comprising: moving a self-propelled multi-axle transport vehicle having a loading platform and a plurality of axles under a spherical gas holder or a spherical tank attached and supported by a plurality of support columns arranged at intervals in the circumferential direction of the ground; supplying hydraulic oil to a plurality of loading platform lifting actuators respectively provided between the loading platform and each axle to raise the loading platform; and lifting the spherical gas holder or the spherical tank with the support columns attached, and placing it on the loading platform for transport, A method for transporting a spherical gas holder or a spherical tank, characterized in that adjacent support columns in the circumferential direction of the spherical gas holder or the spherical tank are connected with horizontal members, and support columns that face each other in a planar view are connected with horizontal members, and the horizontal members connecting the support columns that face each other in a planar view are pushed up by the loading platform of the self-propelled multi-axle transport cart.

[0010] [3] The method for transporting a spherical gas holder or a spherical tank described in [1] or [2] above, further comprising cutting off the supply of hydraulic oil to some of the platform lifting actuators among the plurality of platform lifting actuators, and lifting some of the axles among the plurality of axles.

[0011] [4] A method for transporting a spherical gas holder or a spherical tank according to any one of [1] to [3] above, characterized in that the same upward force is applied to each of the support columns.

[0012] [5] A transport facility used in the method for transporting a spherical gas holder or a spherical tank according to any one of [1] to [4] above, A conveying facility comprising the horizontal member and the self-propelled multi-axle conveying cart. [Effects of the Invention]

[0013] According to the method for transporting a spherical gas holder or a spherical tank of the present invention and the transport equipment used therefor, the spherical gas holder or the spherical tank can be transported efficiently with good workability. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0014] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of a method for transporting a spherical gas holder according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 10 is a side view showing the connection state of the horizontal members attached to the support columns by the transportation method of the spherical gas holder. [Figure 3] 2(a) to 2(c) are a partial view taken along the line AA in FIG. 1, a partial view taken along the line BB, and a partial front view, respectively. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of a method for transporting a spherical gas holder according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of a method for transporting a spherical gas holder according to a third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing the use of a self-propelled multi-axle transport cart used in the method for transporting the spherical gas holder. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of a method for transporting a spherical gas holder according to a comparative example. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0015] The method for transporting a spherical gas holder or a spherical tank of the present invention involves moving a self-propelled multi-axle transport cart below a spherical gas holder or a spherical tank that is attached and supported by a plurality of support columns, and then pushing up and placing the spherical gas holder or the spherical tank with the support columns still attached, for transport. This spherical gas holder is a spherical shell part that stores gas such as city gas, and a spherical tank is a spherical shell part that stores liquid such as LPG, and since the transportation method is the same, in this invention, the spherical gas holder will be described below as the object to be transported (the transportation method for a spherical gas holder).

[0016] The method for transporting spherical gas holders of the present invention is a novel technique that can support and transport spherical gas holders without directly contacting them. This eliminates the need for highly difficult strength analysis of spherical gas holders, and allows for efficient and easy transport of spherical gas holders. Specifically, the columns on which the spherical gas holders are attached and supported are connected to each other using horizontal members, and these horizontal members are pushed up by the platform of a self-propelled multi-axle transport cart.

[0017] For example, adjacent columns in the circumferential direction of the spherical gas holder are connected by a horizontal member, and the pushing force of the self-propelled multi-axle transport cart against this horizontal member acts on all of the columns, and this horizontal member is pushed up by the self-propelled multi-axle transport cart. In addition, adjacent columns in the circumferential direction of the spherical gas holder are connected by horizontal members, and columns that face each other in a planar view are connected by horizontal members, and the pushing force of the self-propelled multi-axle transport cart acts on all of the columns against the horizontal members that connect the columns that face each other in a planar view, so that the horizontal members that connect the columns that face each other in a planar view are pushed up by the platform of the self-propelled multi-axle transport cart. Here, it is further preferable to cut off the supply of hydraulic oil to some of the platform lifting actuators among the plurality of platform lifting actuators, and lift some of the axles among the plurality of axles.

[0018] First, with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, a spherical gas holder 10 (hereinafter also simply referred to as a gas holder) to be transported in the present invention will be described. The gas holder 10 is supported by a support structure 11. The support structure 11 is, for example, arranged upright on the ground G at equal intervals in the circumferential direction of the gas holder 10 (at equal angular positions around the center of gravity g of the gas holder 10 in a plan view), and has a plurality of pillars P1 to P6 to the upper sides of which the outer periphery of the gas holder 10 is fixed, and base plates 12 attached to the lower ends of the pillars P1 to P6 are fixed to foundation concrete 13 fixed on the ground G by anchor bolts (not shown) or the like. The support structure 11 may also have braces that connect adjacent pillars P1 to P6 in the circumferential direction.

[0019] The gas holder 10 is transported using a transport facility 20 shown in FIG. The transport facility 20 includes horizontal members H1 to H6 that connect the pillars P1 to P6 to one another, and self-propelled multi-axle transport carriages D1 and D2 (hereinafter referred to as carriages D1 and D2) that push up the horizontal members H1 to H6. The height positions at which the horizontal members H1 to H6 are attached and fixed to the pillars P1 to P6 depend on the length of the pillars P1 to P6, but may be any position that allows the lower ends (base plates 12) of the pillars P1 to P6 to separate from the ground G (foundation concrete 13) when the carriages D1 and D2 push up the horizontal members H1 to H6, and may be, for example, any position below (below) or in the middle of the pillars P1 to P6.

[0020] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the horizontal members H1 to H6 respectively connect adjacent columns P1 and P2, columns P2 and P3, columns P3 and P4, columns P4 and P5, columns P5 and P6, and columns P6 and P1 in the circumferential direction of the gas holder 10. Each of the horizontal members H1 to H6 is attached and fixed at its both ends to the respective support columns P1 to P6 in a horizontal state and at the same height relative to the ground G so that the gas holder 10 does not tilt when supported and pushed up from below by the carts D1 and D2. For this reason, the horizontal members H1 to H6 are arranged so as not to intersect (non-intersect) in a plan view. The horizontal members H1 to H6 are not particularly limited as long as they are made of a material that can withstand the weight of the gas holder 10, and can be made of, for example, steel or the like.

[0021] As shown in Figures 1 and 3(a) to (c), the bogies D1 and D2 have the same configuration, are each provided with a hydraulic power source 21 (power pack), and are bogies whose loading platform 22 can be raised and lowered depending on whether or not hydraulic oil (oil) is supplied from the hydraulic power source 21. The hydraulic power source 21 can be located separately from the self-propelled bogie 23, which is the bogie body of the bogies D1 and D2. The bogies D1 and D2 are configured to be remotely operable using a known remote control held by an operator. Note that the method of operating the bogies D1 and D2 is not limited to the above configuration; for example, the bogies D1 and D2 may be provided with a removable cab (cabin) at the front, with the hydraulic power source 21 connected to the rear, and the operator may stand in the cab and directly operate the bogies D1 and D2. Furthermore, the length of the self-propelled cart 23 can be adjusted depending on the size of the object to be transported, etc. For example, the self-propelled cart 23 may be configured by connecting multiple carts in series, or by connecting multiple carts in parallel.

[0022] As shown in Figures 3(a) to 3(c), a plurality of axles 24, each with wheels 24a (tires) attached to both axial sides and independently rotatable around a vertical axis, are attached to the lower part of the loading platform 22 provided on the self-propelled bogie 23. Specifically, the self-propelled bogie 23 is configured by connecting two bogies 23a (six-axle vehicle) and 23b (three-axle vehicle) in series, and a total of 18 axles 24 are attached, one on each side in the width direction of the self-propelled bogie 23 (bogies 23a, 23b) as shown in Figure 3(c), and nine axles 24 attached at intervals along the length direction as shown in Figures 3(a) and 3(b); however, the number of axles is not particularly limited and may vary depending on, for example, the type and number of bogies to be connected. This allows the multiple axles 24 to be rotated individually depending on the purpose, and the steering mode of the self-propelled carriage 23 to be changed in various ways, making it possible to perform various driving modes, such as normal driving, circular driving, diagonal driving, transversal driving, and fan-shaped driving.

[0023] A link mechanism 25 (bogie and arm) and a hydraulic jack (an example of an actuator for raising and lowering the loading platform: not shown) are provided between the loading platform 22 and each axle 24, and the distance between the loading platform 22 and the axle 24, i.e., the height of the loading platform 22 relative to the ground G, can be adjusted by whether or not hydraulic oil is supplied to the hydraulic jack by the hydraulic source 21. The supply of hydraulic oil from the hydraulic source 21 to the hydraulic jacks attached to each axle 24 can be carried out mainly through two systems, for example, a system of nine hydraulic jacks attached to one side of the self-propelled carriage 23 in the width direction, and a system of nine hydraulic jacks attached to the other side in the width direction. Alternatively, the supply of hydraulic oil can be carried out mainly through a total of four systems, for example, front, rear, left and right in a plan view of the self-propelled carriage 23. Here, the supply of hydraulic oil to the multiple hydraulic jacks in each system can be cut off (stopped) by, for example, closing multiple valves (not shown) provided in each system.

[0024] Considering the scale (size) of the gas holders to be transported, it is preferable to use two or more trains of the above-mentioned carts at the same time as shown in Figure 1, but one train may also be used. When multiple bogies are used, they can be operated synchronously. As a result, for example, as shown in Fig. 1, bogies D1 and D2 arranged in parallel run while maintaining that state, so that the gas holders 10 placed across the loading platforms 22 of the two self-propelled bogies 23 can be transported from the location where they were constructed or installed to the destination while being kept horizontal without falling off the loading platform 22 or becoming misaligned on the loading platform 22.

[0025] Next, a method for transporting a spherical gas holder according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. Here, we will explain the case where a gas holder 10 is transported from a location where it has been previously installed to another location. As shown in Figures 1 and 3, the gas holder 10 is supported by six support columns P1 to P6 that are arranged upright at equal intervals in the circumferential direction, and base plates 12 attached to the lower ends of the support columns P1 to P6 are fixed to foundation concrete 13 fixed on the ground G with anchor bolts (not shown) or the like. For ease of explanation, Figure 1 shows the gas holder 10 and other components in a see-through state.

[0026] First, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a plurality (six in this case) of columns P1 to P6 supporting the gas holder 10 to be transferred are connected to each other by a plurality (six in this case) of horizontal members H1 to H6. The horizontal members H1 to H6 are attached to the columns P1 to P6 so that when the carriages D1 and D2 push up the horizontal members H1, H2, H4, and H5, the pushing-up force acts on all of the columns P1 to P6. Specifically, in a plan view, the columns P1 to P6 that are adjacent to each other in the circumferential direction of the gas holder 10 are connected at their undersides by multiple horizontal members H1 to H6.

[0027] All of the horizontal members H1 to H6 are attached and fixed to the underside of the respective columns P1 to P6 in a horizontal state without tilting and at the same height relative to the ground G. The horizontal members H1 to H6 have the same specifications (material, length, shape, etc.), but not all of them are directly supported by the carriages D1 and D2. For this reason, for example, for the horizontal member H3 connecting circumferentially adjacent columns P3 and P4, which do not come into contact with the loading platforms 22 of the carriages D1 and D2, and the horizontal member H6 connecting circumferentially adjacent columns P1 and P6, horizontal members (positioning members) that are weaker and lighter than the other horizontal members H1, H2, H4, and H5 may be used to restrict movement of the adjacent columns P3, P4 and columns P1, P6.

[0028] Next, as shown in Figure 1, with the loading platforms 22 of the carts D1 and D2 lowered, one cart D1 is made to pass between adjacent columns P1 and P2 and between adjacent columns P5 and P6, respectively, and enter below the gas holder 10, while the other cart D2 is made to pass between adjacent columns P2 and P3 and between adjacent columns P4 and P5, respectively, and enter below the gas holder 10. The positions at which the carts D1 and D2 enter below the gas holder 10 can be determined based on, for example, the number of columns and the spacing between adjacent columns. The two bogies D1 and D2 are arranged parallel to each other in a plan view, with the center of gravity g of the gas holder 10 located between the adjacent bogies D1 and D2. Although the hydraulic sources 21 of the two bogies D1 and D2 face in the same direction, they may face in opposite directions.

[0029] In the above-described state, when hydraulic oil is supplied to all the hydraulic jacks and the platform 22 is raised, the span of action of the lifting force falls within the range R shown in FIG. 1 (the range from the widthwise center position C1 of one bogie D1 to the widthwise center position C2 of the other bogie D2). As a result, the lifting force acting on each of the pillars P1 to P6 differs, making it impossible to maintain a stable state in which the gas holder 10 is supported by the pillars P1 to P6, which may impair the quality of the gas holder 10. Specifically, of the three pillars P1 to P3, lifting forces act on two pillars P1 and P3 from the respective bogies D1 and D2, but lifting forces act on pillar P2, which is located between them, from both bogies D1 and D2. As a result, a larger lifting force acts on pillar P2 than on the other pillars P1 and P3 (the same applies to pillars P4 to P6).

[0030] Therefore, the supply of hydraulic oil to some of the hydraulic jacks is cut off to adjust the position where the push-up force acts on the horizontal members H1 to H6. Specifically, the position at which the lifting force acts on the horizontal members H1 to H6 is adjusted so that the span of action of the lifting force is wider than the range R described above, that is, so that it is within the range R' from position C1' outside (opposite the center of gravity g) of the widthwise center position C1 of one carriage D1 to position C2' outside (opposite the center of gravity g) of the widthwise center position C2 of the other carriage D2. This adjustment can be made by selecting hydraulic jacks to cut off the supply of hydraulic oil between adjacent columns P1 and P2 so that the lifting force acting position F is 1:2 between columns P1 and P2 (the same applies to the other columns P2 and P3, columns P4 and P5, and columns P5 and P6).

[0031] Here, the positions of the hydraulic jacks that supplied hydraulic oil and the hydraulic jacks that cut off the supply of hydraulic oil for each of the bogies D1 and D2 will be explained with reference to Figure 1 and Figures 3(a) to (c). In Figure 1, the positions of the hydraulic jacks corresponding to the axles 24 are indicated by circles, and in particular, the positions of the hydraulic jacks that cut off the supply of hydraulic oil are indicated by "●" and the positions of the hydraulic jacks that supply hydraulic oil are indicated by "◯" (the same applies to Figures 4 and 5 described below). In addition, Figures 3(a) and (b) show side views of the bogie D2 shown in Figure 1 as viewed from both sides in the width direction (the same applies to the bogie D1), and Figure 3(c) shows a front view of each of the bogies D1 and D2 shown in Figure 1 as viewed from the side opposite the hydraulic source 21. In addition, in Figures 1, 3(a) and (b), the multiple hydraulic jacks provided in the longitudinal direction of each of the carriages D1 and D2 are numbered in order from the hydraulic source 21 side in circle.

[0032] As shown in Fig. 1, hydraulic oil is supplied to all of the hydraulic jacks corresponding to the multiple axles 24 located on both widthwise outer sides (opposite the center of gravity g of the gas holder 10) of the parallel-arranged carts D1 and D2 (marked with "◯" in Fig. 1). As a result, as shown in Fig. 3(b), all of the hydraulic jacks mentioned above contribute to pushing up (jacking up) the loading platform 22. Meanwhile, for the hydraulic jacks corresponding to the multiple axles 24 located on the inner side in the width direction of the parallel-arranged carts D1 and D2 (toward the position of the center of gravity g of the gas holder 10), the supply of hydraulic oil to some of the hydraulic jacks is cut off. Specifically, the supply of hydraulic oil to the hydraulic jacks (located with circled numbers 1, 3, 4, 6, 7, and 9) is cut off. As a result, as shown in FIG. 3(a), the axles 24 (located with circled numbers 1, 3, 4, 6, 7, and 9) are lifted. In other words, the hydraulic jacks (located with circled numbers 1, 3, 4, 6, 7, and 9) do not contribute to pushing up the loading platform 22, and the hydraulic jacks (located with circled numbers 2, 5, and 8) other than the above-mentioned hydraulic jacks (located with circled numbers 2, 5, and 8) contribute to pushing up the loading platform 22.

[0033] As described above, by cutting off the supply of hydraulic oil to some of the hydraulic jacks, the lifting force on the horizontal members H1, H2, H4, and H5 by the hydraulic jacks whose supply of hydraulic oil has been cut off can be nullified, and the span of action of the lifting force shown in Figure 1 can be expanded from range R to range R'. Therefore, by adjusting the position at which the upward force acts on the horizontal members H1, H2, H4, and H5, the same upward force can be applied to each of the columns P1 to P6. Furthermore, by applying the same upward force to each column, the gas holder 10 can be transported with the support structure 11 stably supported by the carts D1 and D2. While it is preferable that the upward forces applied to the columns P1 to P6 are exactly the same, they may differ within a range that does not affect the quality of the gas holder 10, for example, preferably within a range of 10% or less, more preferably within a range of 5% or less, and particularly preferably within a range of 2% or less. The upward forces applied to the columns P1 to P6 can be calculated in advance and adjusted while checking the actual pressure applied to each hydraulic jack.

[0034] When the horizontal members H1, H2, H4, and H5 are pushed up by supplying hydraulic oil to the hydraulic jacks, the base plates 12 attached to the lower ends of the pillars P1 to P6 are set in advance to a state in which they can be separated from the foundation concrete 13 fixed on the ground G. In order to suppress or even prevent the horizontal members H1, H2, H4, and H5 from being pushed up suddenly, it is preferable to increase the jacking (pressurizing) force of the hydraulic jacks in stages. It is preferable to place buffer materials such as wooden boards in advance between the horizontal members H1, H2, H4, and H5 and the loading platforms 22 of the dollies D1 and D2.

[0035] This allows the spherical gas holder 10 to be transported while maintaining its support by the supports P1 to P6 without directly supporting (contacting) the spherical gas holder 10. Therefore, the spherical gas holder 10 can be transported efficiently and with good workability without having to perform a highly difficult strength analysis of the spherical gas holder 10 and without compromising the quality of the spherical gas holder 10.

[0036] Next, a method for transporting a spherical gas holder according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Fig. 4. The basic structure of the spherical gas holder 10a (hereinafter simply referred to as gas holder) to be transported is substantially the same as that of the spherical gas holder 10 described above, so the same components are given the same reference numerals, and only the differences will be described in detail. The gas holder 10a is supported by eight support columns P1 to P8 that are arranged upright at equal intervals in the circumferential direction. For ease of explanation, the gas holder 10a is shown in a see-through state in Figure 4.

[0037] First, a plurality of (eight in this example) columns P1 to P8 supporting the gas holder 10a to be transferred are connected to one another by a plurality of (eight in this example) horizontal members H1 to H8. The horizontal members H1 to H8 are attached to the columns P1 to P8 so that when the carriages D1 and D2 push up the horizontal members H1, H3, H5, and H7, the upward force acts on all of the columns P1 to P8. Specifically, in a plan view, the columns P1 to P8 that are adjacent to each other in the circumferential direction of the gas holder 10a are connected at their undersides by multiple horizontal members H1 to H8.

[0038] All of the horizontal members H1 to H8 are attached and fixed to the underside of the respective columns P1 to P8 in a horizontal state without tilting and at the same height relative to the ground G. The horizontal members H1 to H8 have the same specifications (material, length, shape, etc.), but not all of them are directly supported by the trolleys D1 and D2. For this reason, for example, for the horizontal members H2, H4, H6, and H8 that do not come into contact with the loading platforms 31 of the trolleys D1 and D2, horizontal members (positioning members) that are weaker and lighter than the other horizontal members H1, H3, H5, and H7 may be used to restrict movement of the adjacent columns P1 and P2, columns P3 and P4, columns P5 and P6, and columns P7 and P8.

[0039] Next, as shown in FIG. 4, the carts D1 and D2 are moved below the gas holder 10a. These bogies D1 and D2 have the same configuration, and a plurality of axles 24, each with wheels 24a attached to both axial sides and capable of independently rotating around a vertical axis, are attached to the lower part of a loading platform 31 provided on a self-propelled bogie 30, which is the bogie body of the bogies D1 and D2 (see FIGS. 3(a) to 3(c)). Specifically, the self-propelled bogie 30 is configured by connecting two bogies 23a (six-axle vehicles) in series, and a total of 24 axles 24 are attached, one on each side in the width direction of the self-propelled bogie 30 (bogie 23a), and 12 axles 24 are attached at intervals along its length.

[0040] With the loading platform 31 of each of the trolleys D1 and D2 lowered, one trolley D1 passes between adjacent columns P1 and P2 and between adjacent columns P7 and P8 to enter below the gas holder 10a, while the other trolley D2 passes between adjacent columns P3 and P4 and between adjacent columns P5 and P6 to enter below the gas holder 10a. The positions at which the trolleys D1 and D2 enter below the gas holder 10a are determined based on, for example, the number of columns and the spacing between adjacent columns. The bogies D1 and D2 of the two trains are arranged parallel to each other in a plan view, and the center of gravity of the gas holder 10a is located between the adjacent bogies D1 and D2.

[0041] In the above-described state, when hydraulic oil is supplied to all hydraulic jacks to raise the platform 31, the acting span of the lifting force is within the range R shown in Figure 4 (the range from the widthwise center position C1 of one cart D1 to the widthwise center position C2 of the other cart D2). 4, when the gas holder 10a is viewed from above, the shape of the figure enclosed by the horizontal members H1 to H8 is an octagon. In this case, since a total of four horizontal members are pushed up by the carts D1 and D2, 50% of the upward force acting on each of the horizontal members H1, H3, H5, and H7 acts on the supports P1 to P8 located at both ends of the horizontal members H1, H3, H5, and H7 being pushed up. As a result, an equal upward force acts on the eight supports P1 to P8.

[0042] Therefore, in this embodiment, it is not necessary to cut off the supply of hydraulic oil to some of the multiple hydraulic jacks and adjust the position at which the lifting force acts on the horizontal members H1, H3, H5, and H7. This allows the spherical gas holder 10a to be transported without being directly supported (in direct contact) and while the spherical gas holder 10a remains supported by the supports P1 to P8.

[0043] Next, a method for transporting a spherical gas holder according to a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 5 and 6. The basic structure of the spherical gas holder 10b (hereinafter simply referred to as gas holder) to be transported is substantially the same as that of the spherical gas holder 10 described above, so the same components are given the same reference numerals, and only the differences will be described in detail. The gas holder 10b is supported by ten support columns P1 to P10 that are arranged upright at equal intervals in the circumferential direction. For ease of explanation, the gas holder 10b is shown in a see-through state in Figure 5.

[0044] First, a plurality (10 in this case) of support columns P1 to P10 supporting the gas holder 10b to be transferred are connected to one another by a plurality (10 in this case) of horizontal members H1 to H13. The horizontal members H1-H13 are attached to the columns P1-P10 so that when the carriages D1-D3 push up the horizontal members H2, H7, H11-H13, the upward force acts on all of the columns P1-P10. Specifically, columns P1-P10 that are adjacent to each other in the circumferential direction of the gas holder 10b in a plan view are connected to each other by a plurality of horizontal members H1-H10, and columns P1-P10 that face each other in a plan view (facing each other about the carriage D2 placed above the center of gravity of the gas holder 10b)—specifically, opposing columns P2 and P3, opposing columns P1 and P4, opposing columns P5 and P10, opposing columns P6 and P9, and opposing columns P7 and P8—are connected to each other by a plurality of horizontal members (five in this case) H2, H11-H13, and H7, respectively. It should be noted that the horizontal members H2 and H7 share the same horizontal members that connect adjacent circumferential columns and that connect opposing columns.

[0045] All of the horizontal members H1 to H13 are attached and fixed to the underside of each of the pillars P1 to P10 in a horizontal state without tilting and at the same height relative to the ground G. The horizontal members H1 to H13 have the same specifications (material, shape, etc.), but not all of them are directly supported by the bogies D1 to D3. For this reason, for example, for the horizontal members H1, H3 to H6, and H8 to H10 arranged in the circumferential direction, excluding horizontal member H2 and horizontal member H7 arranged in the circumferential direction, horizontal members (positioning members) that are weaker and lighter than the other horizontal members H2, H7, and H11 to H13 may be used to restrict movement of the adjacent pillars P1, P2, pillars P3, P4, pillars P4, P5, pillars P5, P6, pillars P6, P7, pillars P8, P9, pillars P9, P10, and pillars P10, P1.

[0046] Next, as shown in FIG. 5, the carts D1 to D3 are moved below the gas holder 10b. The bogies D1 and D3 have the same configuration, and a plurality of axles 24, each with wheels 24a attached to both axial sides, that can independently rotate around a vertical axis are attached to the lower part of a loading platform 31 provided on the self-propelled bogie 30, which is the bogie body of the bogies D1 and D3. Specifically, the self-propelled bogie 30 is configured by connecting two bogies 23a (six-axle vehicles) in series, and a total of 24 axles 24 are attached, one on each side in the width direction of the self-propelled bogie 30 (bogie 23a), and 12 axles 24 are attached at intervals along its length. In addition, bogie D2 is configured such that the self-propelled bogie 30a, which is the bogie body, is connected in series to the above-mentioned self-propelled bogie 30 (two bogies 23a) and further to bogie 23c (four-axle vehicle), and a total of 32 axles 24 are attached to the bottom of the loading platform 31a, one on each side of the width of the self-propelled bogie 30a (bogies 23a, 23c) and 16 axles spaced apart along its length.

[0047] Each of the carriages D1 to D3, with its respective loading platform 31, 31a lowered, is moved below the gas holder 10b as described below. The carriage D1 passes between the adjacent columns P1 and P2 and between the adjacent columns P8 and P9, and enters below the gas holder 10b. The carriage D2 passes between the adjacent columns P2 and P3 and between the adjacent columns P7 and P8, and enters below the gas holder 10b. The carriage D3 passes between the adjacent columns P3 and P4 and between the adjacent columns P6 and P7, and then enters below the gas holder 10b. The bogies D1 to D3 of the three trains are arranged parallel to each other in a plan view, and the bogie D2 located between the bogies D1 and D3 is positioned on the center of gravity of the gas holder 10b.

[0048] The positions below the gas holder 10b at which the above-mentioned carriages D1 to D3 enter and the number of carriages to be used are determined based on, for example, the number of support columns and the interval between adjacent support columns. For example, as shown in Figure 7, when two trains of the above-mentioned bogie D2 are to enter below the gas holder 10b, it is not possible to secure a space between the support pillar P5 and the adjacent support pillars P4 and P6 for the bogie D2 to enter. The same applies to the space between the support pillar P10 and the adjacent support pillars P1 and P9. In this case, no pushing-up force acts on the support columns P5 and P10.

[0049] For this reason, as shown in Figure 5, the pillars P1 to P10 that face each other in a plan view are connected by horizontal members H2, H7, H11 to H13, and these horizontal members H2, H7, H11 to H13 are pushed up by the loading platforms 31, 31a of the carts D1 to D3, so that a pushing force against the horizontal members H2, H7, H11 to H13 acts on all of the pillars P1 to P10. Here, horizontal members H2 and H7 are supported by truck D2 located in the center, and horizontal members H11 to H13 are supported by trucks D1 and D3 located on the left and right of truck D2. This allows truck D2 to apply a push-up force to the four pillars P2, P3, P7, and P8 connected by horizontal member H2 and horizontal member H7, and trucks D1 and D3 to apply a push-up force to the six pillars P1, P4 to P6, P9, and P10 connected by horizontal members H11 to H13.

[0050] Here, by adjusting the ratio of the lifting forces of the centrally placed cart D2 and the carts D1 and D3 placed on either side of it to 4:6, it is possible to apply the same (even) lifting forces to the ten pillars P1 to P10. For this reason, in this embodiment, it is considered that the work of cutting off the supply of hydraulic oil to some of the multiple hydraulic jacks and adjusting the position at which the lifting force acts on the horizontal members H2, H7, H11 to H13, as described above, is not necessary. However, if necessary, it is also possible to cut off the supply of hydraulic oil to some of the hydraulic jacks, lift up some of the axles 24 of the bogies D1 to D3, and remove them from contributing to lifting the horizontal members, thereby adjusting the position at which the lifting force acts on the horizontal members H2, H7, H11 to H13.

[0051] The concept behind pushing up the horizontal members H2, H7, H11-H13 that connect the support columns P1-P10 that face each other in a plan view using the loading platforms 31, 31a of the carts D1-D3 will be described in more detail below with reference to Figure 6. Note that in this embodiment, the horizontal members H1, H3, H6, H8 are provided to restrict the movement of adjacent support columns, and therefore may be configured so as not to interfere with the pushing up of the carts D1-D3, for example, by having a configuration in which the lower ends are cut out at a position higher than the horizontal members H2, H7, H11-H13 that are the targets of the push-up of the carts D1-D3.

[0052] Since the horizontal members H2, H7, and H11 to H13 are positioned at the same height relative to the ground G (see FIG. 2), height adjustment members 32 are placed on the platform 31a of the cart D2, which comes into contact with and pushes up the horizontal members H2 and H7. As a result, the platform 31a of the cart D2 does not come into contact with the other horizontal members H11 to H13, and so only the two horizontal members H2 and H7 can be pushed up. On the other hand, as for the trolleys D1 and D3 that come into contact with and push up the horizontal members H11 to H13, their loading platforms 31 do not come into contact with the horizontal members H2 and H7, so the loading platforms 31 of each trolley D1 and D3 can push up only the three horizontal members H11 to H13 without using height adjustment materials.

[0053] In this way, by using the carriage D2 arranged between the carriages D1 and D3 to push up the two horizontal members H2 and H7, this upward force can be applied to the four pillars P2, P3, P7, and P8 connected by the horizontal members H2 and H7. Also, by using the carriages D1 and D3 arranged on both sides of the carriage D2 to push up the three horizontal members H11 to H13, this upward force can be applied to the six pillars P1, P4 to P6, P9, and P10 connected by the horizontal members H11 to H13. In other words, 16 pairs of axles 24 attached at intervals along the length of the self-propelled bogie 30a of bogie D2 can apply a push-up force to the four pillars P2, P3, P7, and P8, and 12 pairs of axles 24 attached at intervals along the length of each of the self-propelled bogies 30a of bogies D1 and D3, for a total of 24 pairs of axles 24, can apply a push-up force to the six pillars P1, P4 to P6, P9, and P10.

[0054] Therefore, the lifting forces of four pairs of hydraulic jacks can be applied to each support pillar, so that uniform lifting forces can be applied to the ten support pillars P1 to P10. This allows the spherical gas holder 10b to be transported while being supported by the columns P1 to P10 without being directly supported (in direct contact with) the spherical gas holder 10b. Also, the gas holder 10b can be transported while the support structure 11 is stably supported by the carriages D1 to D3.

[0055] As described above, the method of transporting spherical gas holders or spherical tanks of the present invention and the transport equipment used therefor support the horizontal members connecting the support columns to which the spherical gas holders, etc. are attached when transporting the spherical gas holders, etc., and do not directly support the spherical gas holders, etc., thereby eliminating the need for difficult strength analysis of the spherical gas holders, etc., and allowing for efficient and easy transport of the spherical gas holders, etc.

[0056] Although the present invention has been described above with reference to the embodiments, the present invention is not limited to the configurations described in the above embodiments and includes other embodiments and modifications that are conceivable within the scope of the claims. For example, the scope of the present invention also includes cases where a method for transporting a spherical gas holder or a spherical tank of the present invention and a transport facility used therefor are configured by combining some or all of the above embodiments and modifications. [Explanation of symbols]

[0057] 10, 10a, 10b: spherical gas holder, 11: support structure, 12: base plate, 13: foundation concrete, 20: transport equipment, 21: hydraulic power source, 22: loading platform, 23: self-propelled cart, 23a: cart, 23b: cart, 24: axle, 24a: wheel, 25: link mechanism, 30, 30a: self-propelled cart, 31, 31a: loading platform, 32: height adjustment material

Claims

1. A method for transporting a spherical gas holder or a spherical tank, comprising: moving a self-propelled multi-axle transport vehicle having a loading platform and a plurality of axles under a spherical gas holder or a spherical tank attached to a plurality of support columns arranged at intervals in the circumferential direction of the ground; supplying hydraulic oil to a plurality of loading platform lifting actuators respectively provided between the loading platform and each axle to raise the loading platform; and lifting the spherical gas holder or the spherical tank with the support columns attached, and placing it on the loading platform for transport; A method for transporting a spherical gas holder or a spherical tank, characterized in that adjacent support columns in the circumferential direction of the spherical gas holder or the spherical tank are connected with horizontal members, and the horizontal members are pushed up by the loading platform of the self-propelled multi-axle transport cart.

2. A method for transporting a spherical gas holder or a spherical tank, comprising: moving a self-propelled multi-axle transport vehicle having a loading platform and a plurality of axles under a spherical gas holder or a spherical tank attached to a plurality of support columns arranged at intervals in the circumferential direction of the ground; supplying hydraulic oil to a plurality of loading platform lifting actuators respectively provided between the loading platform and each axle to raise the loading platform; and lifting the spherical gas holder or the spherical tank with the support columns attached, and placing it on the loading platform for transport; A method for transporting a spherical gas holder or a spherical tank, characterized in that adjacent support columns in the circumferential direction of the spherical gas holder or the spherical tank are connected with horizontal members, and support columns that face each other in a planar view are connected with horizontal members, and the horizontal members connecting the support columns that face each other in a planar view are pushed up by the loading platform of the self-propelled multi-axle transport cart.

3. 3. A method for transporting a spherical gas holder or a spherical tank as described in claim 1 or 2, further comprising cutting off the supply of hydraulic oil to some of the platform lifting actuators among the plurality of platform lifting actuators, and lifting some of the axles among the plurality of axles.

4. 3. A method for transporting a spherical gas holder or a spherical tank according to claim 1, wherein the same upward force is applied to each of said supports.

5. A transport facility used in the method for transporting a spherical gas holder or a spherical tank according to claim 1 or 2, A conveying facility comprising the horizontal member and the self-propelled multi-axle conveying cart.

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