Working walkway system and method thereof

Abstract

A working walkway system for allowing movement of personnel and / or equipment between a vessel and an offshore wind turbine includes an elevator system positioned radially offset from a gangway system, the elevator system comprising a height-adjustable elongated elevator having a first elevator end mountable on a deck of the vessel, the height-adjustable elevator having a fixed elevator section, a displaceable elevator section height-adjustably connected to the fixed elevator section, a drive system configured to displace the displaceable elevator section along an elevator height relative to the fixed elevator section, an elevator car movably connected to the height-adjustable elevator and configured to be raised flush with the gangway to allow access between the elevator system and the gangway system, and a hoisting device configured to move the elevator car of the height-adjustable elevator.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a walk-to-work system for waterborne structures such as ships, and more particularly to a walk-to-work system for accessing offshore infrastructure such as bottom-fixed offshore wind turbines.

Background Art

[0002] Work walkways are used on ships to transport goods / equipment and personnel between ships and offshore wind turbines such as bottom-fixed wind turbines.

[0003] Conventional work walkways use a motion-compensated offshore gangway (movable connecting bridge) combined with an elevator shaft. The elevator shaft has a constant height and forms an integrated part of the gangway. Alternatively, the gangway can be installed on another pedestal that can access another elevator shaft having a constant height. The elevator is used to move people and goods from various decks on the ship to the relevant height of the gangway. The gangway is used to support goods and personnel as they move between the relevant heights of the ship and the wind turbine.

[0004] Many bottom-fixed offshore wind turbines are located in waters with large changes between low tide and high tide. Therefore, gangways, especially elevators with a constant height, must be designed for the lowest astronomical tide level. This is to ensure that both the gangway and the elevator can access the work platform when the height difference between the sea surface and the work platform of the wind turbine is at its maximum. Conventionally, this has been solved simply by ensuring that the fixed elevator shaft is tall enough.

[0005] Examples of prior art solutions using work walkways to enable the movement of personnel and goods between ships and offshore wind turbines are disclosed in the following patent documents.

[0006] Patent Document 1 discloses a transfer device equipped with a lift that enables access between an aquatic vessel and a wind turbine tower. The lift is attachable to the vessel and includes a platform and a shaft assembly. The platform is drivable along the shaft assembly of the lift, and the lift has a motion compensation device configured to compensate for the movement of the vessel relative to the structure. The lift of Patent Document 1 has a fixed height and is integrated with the platform and the motion compensation device.

[0007] Patent Document 2 discloses a tower-type ladder system for an offshore work vessel. This tower-type ladder system has a main frame, a wave compensation boarding device, a wave compensation crane device, and an elevator device. The wave compensation boarding gangway device and the wave compensation crane device are attached to the outside of the main frame and connected to the main frame. The elevator device has a fixed height and is integrated with the main frame.

[0008] Patent Document 3 discloses a lift for enabling access between an aquatic vessel and a structure. This lift is attachable to the vessel and has a platform and a lift shaft assembly, and the platform is drivable along the lift shaft assembly. The lift further includes a motion compensation arrangement configured to compensate for the movement of the vessel relative to the structure. The lift / lift shaft of Patent Document 3 has a fixed height and is integrated with the platform.

[0009] When the vessel operates relative to the wind turbine at high tide, using such a conventional design, i.e., a working walkway with an elevator shaft having a fixed height, may result in an undesirable shutdown of the wind turbine because there is a risk of collision between the wind turbine blade and the highest point of the vessel. The highest point is, in most cases, the uppermost point of an elevator having a fixed height.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0010]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Patent Document 3

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0011] Therefore, what is common to all of the solutions according to the above prior art is the need for a working walkway system that enables safe and cost - effective operation of various types of wind turbines during all types of predictable current conditions and, moreover, can keep the frequency of undesirable wind turbine shutdowns low. Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a working walkway system that enables the transfer of personnel and / or articles under all types of predictable currents and / or reduces or eliminates the risk of collision with the turbine blades.

[0012] The present invention is characterized as described in the main claims, and the dependent claims describe other features of the present invention.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0013] In a first aspect, the present invention relates to a working walkway system suitable for enabling the movement of personnel and / or equipment between a first floating - type marine structure such as a ship or other types of marine structures, and a second marine structure such as a bottom - fixed offshore wind turbine, particularly a bottom - fixed wind turbine whose height changes between the lowest point of the wind turbine blade swept area and the sea surface where the current changes, or other types of marine structures.

[0014] The working walkway system is provided with a gangway system having an adjustable-height elongated pedestal and a gangway. The adjustable-height elongated pedestal has a first end that can be attached to the deck of a ship. For example, the pedestal can be attached to an open deck and / or a closed deck. Further, the pedestal may be integrated into the superstructure of a ship / ocean structure. The adjustable-height elongated pedestal includes a first pedestal portion and a second pedestal portion that is height-adjustably connected to the first pedestal portion, i.e., the pedestal can be adjusted to various heights.

[0015] The gangway is at a height H from the first elongated pedestal end g and is rotatably connected to the adjustable-height elongated pedestal such that the gangway extends radially by a length L from the central axis of the adjustable-height elongated pedestal. As used herein, "extending radially" means extending in a direction perpendicular or at least substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal central axis of the adjustable-height elongated pedestal. Thus, the gangway is rotatably attached to the upper end (second end) of the pedestal, and when the pedestal is height-adjusted, the height of the gangway is consequently adjusted. g The working walkway system further includes an elevator system that is adjacent to the gangway system but is radially offset and disposed at a distance from the gangway system. That is, the elevator system is structurally separated from the gangway, and when the elevator car of the elevator system rises to the height of the gangway, the gangway is disposed near the gangway so that the gangway can be accessed from the elevator car.

[0016] The elevator system has an adjustable-height elongated elevator, a drive system, an elevator car, and a lifting device.

[0017]

[0018] ​The height-adjustable elongated elevator has a first elevator end that can be attached to the deck of a ship. The height-adjustable elevator shaft has a fixed elevator part and a displaceable elevator part that is height-adjustably connected to the fixed elevator part to enable the elevator to be adjusted to various heights.

[0019] The drive system is configured to displace the displaceable elevator part along the longitudinal central axis of the height-adjustable elongated elevator relative to the fixed elevator part. The drive system can be of any type that allows relative movement between the fixed elevator part and the displaceable elevator part. For example, the drive system may be a rack and pinion drive, or may have an electric winch and a corresponding set of cables and pulleys, or a hydraulic cylinder, or an electric actuator.

[0020] The elevator car is movably connected to the height-adjustable elevator and is configured to rise to the same height as the gangway to enable access between the elevator system and the gangway system.

[0021] The hoisting device is configured to move the elevator car of the height-adjustable elevator. For example, the hoisting device may be an electric winch with corresponding cables, or in another alternative, may have a rack and pinion hoisting device.

[0022] In a preferred exemplary embodiment of the working walkway system, the fixed elevator part and the displaceable elevator part are shafts telescopically connected to each other.

[0023] In another preferred example, the first pedestal part and the second pedestal part are telescopically connected to each other.

[0024] In another preferred exemplary embodiment, the gangway is rotatably connected to the second pedestal part and preferably also has an average diameter D gCompletely circulates around the second pedestal, preferably being circular. For example, the gangway may be rotatably connected to the second pedestal portion by an electric swivel / turning mechanism attached between the gangway and the second pedestal portion. The swivel may be remotely controlled and / or controlled by a control system arranged on the gangway.

[0025] In another preferred exemplary embodiment, the gangway system further includes a bridge connected to a radially outer position of the gangway, for example, the outermost radial position of the gangway.

[0026] In another preferred exemplary embodiment, the bridge is rotatably connected to the gangway, and the axis of rotation is oriented in a direction orthogonal to the height direction of the pedestal.

[0027] In another preferred exemplary embodiment, the bridge is configured to be length-adjustable.

[0028] In another preferred exemplary embodiment, the length-adjustable bridge has two bridge portions that are telescopically connected to each other, whereby the desired length adjustment is achieved through relative displacement.

[0029] In another preferred exemplary embodiment, the working walkway system further includes a motion compensation control system that enables motion compensation of the bridge with respect to the gangway. It should be noted that the motion compensation control system may be configured to perform motion compensation control for the height adjustment of the slender pedestal and / or the slender elevator and the rotation mechanism / swivel / turning mechanism that enables the rotational movement of the gangway.

[0030] In another preferred exemplary embodiment, the gangway system further comprises an access platform. Preferably, the access platform is arranged adjacent to a radially outer position of the gangway. The term "adjacent" is defined as a position that enables safe movement of personnel / equipment between the access platform and the gangway.

[0031] In another preferred exemplary embodiment, the access platform is supported by an elongated pedestal via a support structure, and the access platform is disposed in the vicinity of or at the same height H as the gangway. g The support structure preferably comprises a collar that at least partially encircles a second pedestal below the gangway and a radially extending framework that extends from the collar to the underside of the base of the access platform. The collar may be rotatably or fixedly attached to the second pedestal.

[0032] In another preferred exemplary embodiment, the gangway system is configured such that the gangway can rotate independently of the access platform. For example, refer to the above-described configuration with an electric swivel / turning mechanism.

[0033] In another preferred exemplary embodiment, a safety fence is disposed on the access platform, and the safety fence is movably connected to the safety barrier of the gangway via a set of tracks such as railings, thereby enabling safe movement of personnel and / or equipment between the access platform and the gangway regardless of the rotation angle of the gangway. Both the safety barrier and the safety fence preferably have a height that prevents a person / object / equipment lowered onto the gangway from falling under acceptable weather conditions.

[0034] In another preferred exemplary embodiment, the gangway system further comprises an access platform, and the landing door is vertically attached to the access platform, preferably on one side of the access platform distal from the gangway. The landing door is preferably parallel and aligned with the elevator car door when the elevator car is raised to the height of the access platform.

[0035] In another preferred exemplary embodiment, the landing door is configured to interlock with the elevator car. Note that the relative displacement between the elevator car and the gangway is predetermined such that it is safe to move between the elevator car and the gangway. Thus, the gangway and the elevator car raised to the height of the gangway are separated by an offset, allowing for safe movement of personnel and equipment between them.

[0036] In another preferred exemplary embodiment, the displaceable elevator section is movably connected to the fixed elevator section via guide rails. Preferably, a set of guide rails is attached to the fixed elevator section, and another set of guide rails is attached to the displaceable elevator section. The elevator car is movably connected to the guide rails via wheels rotatably attached to the elevator car such that the elevator always contacts at least one set of guide rails.

[0037] In another preferred exemplary embodiment, the ship comprises a hull, a deck, a superstructure disposed on the deck, and a working walkway system, and the working walkway system is connected to the deck, such as the open deck and / or the closed deck of the ship.

[0038] In another preferred exemplary embodiment, the height-adjustable elongated elevator is configured such that its minimum height is lower than the highest point of the ship's superstructure.

[0039] In another preferred exemplary embodiment, the height-adjustable elongated pedestal is at least partially integrated into the superstructure of the ship.

[0040] In another preferred exemplary embodiment, the ship has a plurality of decks and the fixed elevator section is fixed to one or more of the plurality of decks of the ship.

[0041] In a second aspect, the present invention relates to a method of transferring personnel and / or equipment between a first floating ocean structure having a working walkway system according to the present invention as defined in the appended claims and a second ocean structure having a service platform, the method comprising: A. stabilizing the first floating ocean structure relative to the second ocean structure; B. adjusting the height-adjustable elongated pedestal to a height that enables access of personnel and / or equipment between the gangway of the height-adjustable elongated pedestal and the service platform of the second ocean structure, thereby bringing the gangway system into contact, or substantially into contact, e.g., adjacent, with the service platform; C. maintaining the contact or substantially the contact by using a motion compensation control system that compensates for relative movement between the first ocean structure and the second ocean structure, wherein the motion compensation control system is at least - a pivot point between the gangway and the bridge to ensure motion compensation in a direction about a rotational axis orthogonal to the height direction, - a mechanism / device for controlling the height of the pedestal, - a mechanism / device for controlling the height of the elevator, and - a mechanism / device such as a swivel / turning mechanism for controlling the rotation of the gangway about the pedestal, which is operatively connected to the above; D. adjusting the height-adjustable elongated elevator to a height at which the elevator car can be raised to the same height as the gangway; E. raising an elevator car having personnel and / or equipment from an initial position on an elongate elevator to the same height as the gangway; F. transferring personnel and / or equipment between a service platform of a first floating marine structure and a second marine structure via an elevator system and a gangway system;

[0042] In a preferred exemplary embodiment, the first marine structure is a ship, preferably a ship as described above.

[0043] In another preferred exemplary embodiment, the second marine structure is an offshore wind turbine, such as a bottom-fixed offshore turbine.

[0044] In another preferred exemplary embodiment, step B further comprises bringing the gangway system into contact or near contact with the service platform by use of an adjustable-length bridge, one end of the adjustable-length bridge being pivotally connected to a radially outer position of the gangway. Thus, the contact or near contact is achieved by pivoting the bridge until the other end of the bridge is at a desired height position relative to the service platform.

[0045] In another preferred exemplary embodiment, step C further comprises compensating for relative movement between the first floating marine structure and the second marine structure, said compensation being - rotating the gangway relative to an adjustable-height elongate pedestal, and / or - adjusting the height of the adjustable-height elongate pedestal, and / or - when the gangway has an adjustable-length bridge, adjusting the length of the adjustable-length bridge.

[0046] In another preferred exemplary embodiment, the gangway system further comprises an access platform, and the access platform is supported on an elongated pedestal such that the access platform is disposed adjacent to a radially outer position of the gangway. Step D further includes adjusting the height of an elevator that is height adjustable to enable raising the elevator car to the same height H as the gangway adjacent to the access platform. g

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0047]

Figure 1

Figure 2A

Figure 2B

Figure 3A

Figure 3B

Figure 4A

Figure 4B

Figure 4C

Figure 5A

Figure 5B

Figure 6A

Figure 6B

Figure 7A

Figure 7B

Figure 8A

Figure 8B

Figure 9A

Figure 9B

[0048] Hereinafter, specific exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the exemplary embodiments and illustrations included in this specification. The present invention is particularly intended to have modified forms of embodiments having combinations of elements of some embodiments and different embodiments. It should be understood that in the development of any implementation, as in any engineering or design project, specific decisions must be made to achieve the developer's specific goals, such as compliance with system and / or business-related constraints. Further, although such development efforts may be complex and time-consuming, it should be understood that for those skilled in the art who benefit from this disclosure, they would be routine operations in design, fabrication, and manufacturing.

[0049] FIG. 18 is a view showing a working walkway system 1 according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

[0050] In FIG. 1, the working walkway system 1 of the first embodiment of the present invention is attached in the lateral direction of the ship 300, enabling access between the ship 300 and related positions of offshore structures such as the offshore wind turbine facility 400, for example, the service platform 410. Therefore, when the working walkway system 1 is attached in the lateral direction of the ship 300, the direction of the access passage between the ship 300 and the related position of the offshore structure is mainly perpendicular or oblique to the longitudinal direction of the ship. Alternatively, the working walkway system 1 may be attached in different directions on the ship 300, for example, in the longitudinal direction of the ship or other directions.

[0051] The working walkway system 1 has a gangway system 200 and an elevator system 100 arranged structurally independently from the gangway system 200.

[0052] The gangway system 200 is used to support personnel and / or equipment when they move from the ship 300 to a specific height of the wind turbine 400, for example, the height of the service platform 410 attached to the wind turbine tower 420.

[0053] The elevator system 100 enables personnel and / or equipment to move from one or more decks such as the open deck 310 and the closed deck 320 of the ship 300 to a desired height of the gangway system 200, such as the height of the gangway 210 of the gangway system 200.

[0054] Personnel accessing the wind turbine 400 can perform operations such as maintenance, repair, service provision, or other types of work on the wind turbine 400.

[0055] The elevator system 100 includes an elevator (Also referred to as a telescopic elevator shaft) 110 that is height-adjustable, and an elevator 110It includes an elevator car 130 movably connected thereto. As shown in FIGS. 1 to 6A and 6B, the height-adjustable elevator 110 may be a telescopic elevator shaft or other types of height-adjustable elevators as shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B to FIGS. 9A and 9B.

[0056] FIGS. 2A and 2B are views showing a working walkway system 1 of a first embodiment in two different ascending positions, namely, a retracted / low ascending position indicated by a solid black line, and an extended / high ascending position indicated by a solid black line showing only the main outline of the working walkway system 1.

[0057] The elevator car 130 is configured to ascend to the same height as the gangway 210 to enable access between the telescopic elevator shaft 110 and the gangway system 200. The elevator system 100 further includes a lifting device 150 configured to move the elevator car 130 along the telescopic elevator shaft 110.

[0058] FIGS. 3A and 3B are detailed views of the height-adjustable elevator 110 when the height-adjustable elevator 110 shown in the first embodiment in FIG. 1 is a telescopic elevator shaft. The telescopic elevator shaft 110 forming part of the working walkway system 1 of the present invention may be a conventional telescopic elevator shaft for personnel and goods used on the ocean.

[0059] The height-adjustable elevator 110 has an elongated fixed elevator part 111 attached to the deck of the ship 300 such as an open deck 310 or a closed deck 320, an elongated displaceable elevator part 112 that is height-adjustable relative to the fixed elevator part 111, and an elevator car 130. Therefore, the elevator 110 can be raised to a high position as shown in FIG. 3A and to a low position as shown in FIG. 3B.

[0060] Figures 4A, 4B and 4C provide further detailed side views (Figure 4A) and front views (Figures 4B, 4C) of the retractable elevator shaft 110 of the first embodiment when the elevator is attached to the decks 310, 320 of the ship 300. The retracted / low raised position is shown by a solid black line, and the extended position is shown by a dotted black line. It should be noted that the illustration of the extended / high position only shows the main outline of the retractable elevator shaft 110.

[0061] The fixed elevator part 111 is a vertical structure having a predetermined height. It should be noted that the term "vertical" should be interpreted as being substantially vertical rather than in a strict mathematical sense, that is, a deviation from the vertical axis, for example, a deviation of ±5 degrees is possible. As shown in Figures 3A and 3B, the fixed elevator part 111 may have a rectangular shape. The first elevator end 113 of the height-adjustable elevator 110 is firmly attached to the ship 300, and the second elevator end 114 is located vertically above the first elevator end 113. In principle, the fixed elevator part 111 may have any shape.

[0062] The fixed elevator part 111 is attached to the ship 300, for example, to the open deck 310, as shown in Figure 1. The fixed elevator part 111 may stand independently on the open deck 310 of the ship 300, as shown in Figure 1. Alternatively, or additionally, the fixed elevator part 111 can be fully or partially integrated into the superstructure (not shown) of the open deck 310 of the ship 300. Alternatively, or additionally, the fixed elevator part 111 may be integrated into one or more closed decks 320 of the ship 300, as shown in Figures 2A and 2B.

[0063] The advantageous effect of the first embodiment having the fixed elevator part 111 integrated into one or more closed decks 320 and / or the superstructure of the ship is that it reduces or eliminates the installation area of the elevator 100 on the open deck 310, thereby leaving more deck space available for the superstructure of the ship 300.

[0064] The fixed elevator section 111 has a predetermined constant height H sp and usually, H sp is about 10 to 25 meters. Generally, in order to minimize the possibility of any turbine shutdown reason, it should not have a height exceeding the highest point of the ship superstructure. The width W sp of the fixed elevator section 111 is determined in advance based on the space required for the elevator 110 with adjustable height according to the size of the elevator car 130, and the cross-section required to bear the structural load. Usually, the installation area of the elevator 110 with adjustable height is minimized to ensure the maximum available deck space on the ship.

[0065] The fixed elevator section 111 is preferably manufactured from a material that enables the lifting and lowering of heavy loads in the operation of the associated offshore wind turbine. For example, Fixed elevator section 111 it can be manufactured from any type of high-strength structural metal material, preferably weldable structural steel, usually high-strength or ultra-high-strength steel, and in appropriate cases, cast and forged parts can also be used.

[0066] In a specific configuration of the first embodiment as best shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, the displaceable elevator section 112 is a substantially vertical frame or mast movably connected to the fixed elevator section 111 via a plurality of sets of double guide rails 140a, 140b. One 140a of the plurality of sets of double guide rails is attached along the fixed elevator section 111, and another 140b of the plurality of sets of double guide rails is vertically attached to the displaceable elevator section 112. Also, other means may be used to movably connect the displaceable elevator section 112 to the fixed elevator section 111.

[0067] Hereinafter, vertical is referred to as the direction perpendicular to the stationary sea.

[0068] Furthermore, in FIGS. 3A, 3B, and 4A - 4C, the drive system 160 is shown connected to the displaceable elevator section 112. The drive system 160 is used to adjust the height of the displaceable elevator section 112 relative to the fixed elevator section 111. In FIGS. 3A, 3B, and 4A - 4C, the drive system 160 is a rack - and - pinion drive system. However, the drive system 160 can be of any type that allows relative movement between the fixed elevator section 111 and the displaceable elevator section 120. Other examples include a set of an electric winch and its corresponding cable and pulley, or a hydraulic cylinder, or an electric actuator.

[0069] As best shown in FIGS. 3A, 3B, and 4A - 4C, the elevator car 130 may be movably connected to a plurality of sets of double guide rails 140a, 140b, for example, attached to the elevator. Le Via a plurality of sets of double guide rails 140a, 140b. The elevator car 130 is configured such that when the displaceable elevator section 112 is extended relative to the fixed elevator section 111, the elevator car 130 is always in contact with at least one set of guide rails 140a, 140b.

[0070] To enable vertical movement of the elevator car 130 along the plurality of sets of double guide rails 140a, 140b, in the first embodiment, the elevator car 130 is operatively connected to a hoisting device 150. In FIGS. 3A, 3B, and 4A - 4C, the hoisting device is shown as an electric winch with corresponding cables 151 and pulleys 152. As another alternative, a rack - and - pinion hoisting device can also be mentioned.

[0071] The displaceable elevator section 112 has a predetermined height H tp and width W tp . The height H tp is determined from the height H sp and the maximum access height required for the particular ship, and typically, H tpis about 4 m to 20 m. However, this varies from ship to ship based on the actual design parameters of the actual wind turbine site that is planned to be operated. H sp and H tp The sum of must provide a height sufficient to operate the elevator system 100 when the gangway system 200 is in the upper position. The width W tp of the displaceable elevator part 112 is predetermined based on the size of the elevator car 130 and the cross-section required to bear the structural load. Usually, W tp is minimized so that the width W sp of the fixed elevator part 111 is not too large.

[0072] The displaceable elevator part 112 is preferably capable of withstanding the lifting of heavy loads and is manufactured from materials suitable for use on the high seas. For example, the displaceable elevator part 112 can be made of any type of high-strength structural metal material, preferably weldable structural steel, usually Is high-strength or ultra-high-strength steel. Cast and forged parts can also be used where appropriate.

[0073] An advantageous aspect of the working walkway system 1 is that the elevator system 100 is height adjustable. Lowering the height of the elevator system 100 is advantageous when operating the working walkway system 1 relative to the wind turbine 400 at high tide, and raising the height of the elevator system 100 is advantageous at low tide.

[0074] In particular, the highest point of the height-adjustable elevator 110, and thus the highest point of the elevator system 100, can also be height-adjusted to a beneficial minimum height H Emin where H Emin represents the vertical height between the sea surface and the highest point of the height-adjustable elevator 110, for example under highest astronomical tide conditions. In the prior art, the elevator has a fixed height, whereas the H Eminis beneficially smaller than that achieved by prior designs from the prior art under similar high tide conditions due to the fact that the elevator 110 is height adjustable.

[0075] In most cases, the highest point of the height adjustable elevator 110 is also the highest point of the ship 300, so the minimum height H is smaller than the height achieved in prior art solutions. Emin Enabling the height adjustable elevator to be retracted up to height H is beneficial in reducing the risk of collision with the wind turbine blades in the blade sweep area A, especially under high tide conditions. As a result, this particular elevator system 100 contributes to reducing the risk that the wind turbine has to be stopped when the ship 300 operates against the wind turbine. As a result, the costs caused by losses in energy production are also avoided. BSA Another advantage of the elevator system 100 of the present invention is that the elevator car 130 can be raised to any height along the height adjustable elevator 110. Therefore, the elevator car 130 is not limited to being raised to a specific floor height at a specific height. This enables the elevator car 130 to be raised to any height of the gangway 200 to provide direct access to the gangway 210, or, if a platform is used as further described below, access via the access platform 240. This beneficially improves the operating flexibility of the working walkway system 1 compared to prior art conventional designs.

[0076] To enable the successful operation of such an elevator system 100, here the gangway system 200 is structurally independent of the elevator system 100. This independent configuration can effectively reduce or even eliminate the design limitations of the elevator system 100 related to the presence of the gangway system 200. For example, a telescopic elevator

[0077] Shaft ​An elevator with adjustable height such as 110 is technically difficult and even impossible in the conventional working walkway system 1 where the elevator system is an integral part of the gangway system 200.

[0078] Figures 5A and 5B are a detailed perspective view (Figure 5A) and a top view (Figure 5B) of the gangway system 200 and the elevator system 100 of the first embodiment. The arrows shown in Figure 5A indicate the possible movement of the main elements of the working walkway system 1.

[0079] As described above, the gangway system 200 is mounted on the ship 300 and is structurally independent of the telescopic elevator 100. The gangway system 200 of the first embodiment may be attached as a self - standing unit on the open deck 310 and / or as an integral unit to one or more closed decks 320.

[0080] The gangway system 200 has an adjustable elongated pedestal 220 and a gangway 210. The gangway system 200 may be a conventional offshore gangway system. The gangway system 200 may further have a bridge 230 that is adjustable in length (see the arrow in Figure 5A), such as a telescopic bridge as shown in Figures 1, 2A and 2B, 5A and 5B - 9A and 9B, in the first embodiment.

[0081] The adjustable elongated pedestal 220 of the first embodiment has a first pedestal portion 220a shown as an outer pedestal portion in Figures 1, 2A and 2B, 5A and 5B, and 6A and 6B, and a second pedestal portion 220b shown as an inner pedestal portion in Figures 1, 2A and 2B, 5A and 5B, and 6A and 6B. The second pedestal portion 220b is usually connected to the first pedestal portion 220a, whereby the second pedestal portion 220b is movable in a direction perpendicular to the first pedestal portion 220a (see the arrow in Figure 5A). One end of the pedestal portion 220 is fixed to the ship 300, for example, by welding.

[0082] In the first embodiment, the gangway 210 is preferably connected to the second pedestal portion 220b, and this connection is preferably such that the gangway 210 can rotate around a vertical axis (see the arrow in FIG. 5A), for example, via an electric swivel / slewing mechanism. FIG. 5B shows an advantageous example in which the gangway 210 partially surrounds the inner pedestal portion 220b.

[0083] When the gangway 210 is rotatable, the bridge 230 in the first embodiment can be made rotatable because the bridge is connected to the gangway 210. Therefore, the rotation of the gangway 210 will result in a corresponding rotation of the bridge 230.

[0084] Alternatively, the bridge 230 may be rotatably connected to the second pedestal portion 220b so that independent rotation of the gangway 210 and the bridge 230 is achieved.

[0085] In yet another configuration in the first embodiment, the gangway system 200 may have an access platform 240 as depicted in FIGS. 2A and 2B, FIGS. 5A and 5B, and FIGS. 6A and 6B. The gangway system 200 is configured such that the access platform 240 is disposed at the same vertical level as or near the same vertical level as the gangway 210 but does not rotate with the gangway 210. The access platform 240 and the gangway 210 are at the same vertical height and are attached to the pedestal 220. Further, the access platform 240 is disposed adjacent to the gangway 210, as best shown in FIG. 5B, thereby enabling personnel and / or equipment to move safely between the gangway 210 and the access platform 240.

[0086] To enable the gangway 210 in this embodiment to rotate independently from the access platform 240, the latter may be connected to the pedestal 220, preferably to the inner pedestal portion 220b, using a support structure 250. (See Figure 1) . In particular, Figure 1 and Referring to FIG. 5A, such a support structure 250 may have a collar 251 that at least partially surrounds the inner pedestal portion 220b below the gangway 210 (Figure 1) and a radially extending framework extending from the collar 251 to the underside of the base of the access platform 240. The collar 251 may be rotatably or fixedly attached to the inner pedestal portion 220b.

[0087] The access platform 240 in this embodiment may have a rectangular shape, as best shown in FIG. 5B. However, any shape that enables the above-described transfer of personnel and / or equipment is feasible.

[0088] In this embodiment, the landing door 260 may be perpendicularly attached to one side of the access platform 240, distal from the gangway 210. Landing door It may be attached along the full width or a part of the width of the access platform 240.

[0089] To meet the intended safety standards, the landing door 260 in this embodiment is preferably interlocked with the elevator car door 131 (Figure 5B) and prevents the opening of the door to the access platform 240 when the landing door 260 and the elevator car door 131 are not vertically aligned according to the applicable elevator safety standards. Typically, a misalignment of more than 20 cm prevents the opening of the doors 260, 131, although this may vary depending on the applicable standards. Emergency operation of the doors at any position is possible by using a special tool such as a key.

[0090] As shown in FIG. 5B, when the landing door 260 in this embodiment raises the elevator car 130 to the height of the access platform 240, as also shown in FIGS. 1 and 2A, it becomes parallel to and aligned with the door 131 of the elevator car 130. This enables personnel and / or equipment to safely access the gangway 210 via the access platform 240.

[0091] The access platform 240 in this embodiment may further have a safety fence 270 to ensure the safe movement of personnel and / or equipment between the elevator car 130 and the gangway 210. As best shown in FIG. 5B, the safety fence 270 may be movably connected to the safety barrier 280 of the gangway 210 via a set of tracks, so that regardless of the rotational position of the gangway 210 relative to the access platform 240, the surface area covered by the gangway 210 and the access platform 240 is always safely ensured for the movement of personnel and / or equipment.

[0092] The operation of the gangway system 200 and the elevator system 100 may be controlled separately or together by a control system (not shown) in this embodiment. For example, they may be controlled by separate or combined programmable logic controllers (PLCs) or industrial personal computers (IPCs).

[0093] During normal operation, the elevator car 130 of the height-adjustable elevator 110 may be interlocked with the gangway 210 via interlocking means such as a mechanical interlock, or when the access platform 240 is used, it may be interlocked with that platform. This enables the floor of the elevator car 130 and the floor of the gangway 210 to always be at the same height above the deck of the ship 300 when they are interlocked with each other.

[0094] In this embodiment, the height adjustment and alignment of the displaceable elevator unit 112 and the elevator car 130 with respect to the gangway 210 may be achieved by using position encoders provided on the gangway 210 (or the access platform 240 if used) and the displaceable elevator unit 112, and / or, for example, in the interlock in a PLC or IPC. Optionally, proximity sensors may be used to confirm the exact positions of the displaceable elevator unit 112 and the elevator car 130 with respect to the gangway 210 (or the access platform 240 if used). Alternatively, any sensors such as lasers, LiDAR, mechanical switches, optical machine vision, etc. may be used to ensure the alignment during the height adjustment of the displaceable elevator unit 112, the height adjustment of the elevator car 130, and the height adjustment of the gangway 210 (and the access platform 240 if used). Alternatively, the operator may deactivate the interlock between the elevator car 130 and the gangway 210 or the access platform 240 and adjust their respective heights independently.

[0095] Figures 6A and 6B show a second embodiment of the present invention similar to the first embodiment except for the fixed elevator unit 111 and the displaceable elevator unit 112. In the second embodiment, the fixed elevator unit 111 has two first support means 180 that are fixedly mounted on the open deck 310 of the ship 300 at a distance from each other, and two hollow and elongated first cylinders 181. The first cylinder 181 is vertically mounted on the first support means 180.

[0096] Furthermore, in this second embodiment, the displaceable elevator unit 112 has two elongated second cylinders 182. Each second cylinder 182 is connected in a height-adjustable manner, i.e., telescopically connected, to one of the first cylinders 181 at an end distal from the first support means 181. The other end of each second cylinder 182 is connected to a second support means 183 that supports the elongated elevator mast 185.

[0097] The elevator car 130 (not shown in FIG. 6) of the second embodiment is integrated into the housing of the elevator Mast 185. The elevator mast 185 includes a plurality of floors 184. When a predetermined floor 184 is raised to the height of the gangway 210 and aligned therewith, personnel and / or equipment may be able to move between the elevator car 130 and the gangway 210.

[0098] The elevator car 130 (not shown) of the second embodiment is integrated into the housing of the elevator mast 185 of the displaceable elevator unit 112. Thus, the elevator car 130 can be raised within the elevator mast 185 by the lifting device 150. Alternatively, or additionally, even when the elevator car 130 is stationary with respect to the elevator mast 185, the elevator car can also be raised by raising the displaceable elevator unit 112 with respect to the fixed elevator unit 111. According to this configuration, the elevator car can be raised to the same height as the gangway 210 in order to enable access between the elevator system 100 and the gangway system 200.

[0099] In the second embodiment, the displaceable elevator unit 112 is height-adjusted with respect to the fixed elevator unit 111 by a drive system 160 (not shown), such as a rack and pinion, a hoisting winch, a hydraulic cylinder, or the like.

[0100] FIG. 6A shows the height-adjustable elevator 110 of the second embodiment in the retracted / low-lift position, and FIG. 6B shows the height-adjustable elevator 110 of the second embodiment in the extended / high-lift position. Note that FIGS. 6A and 6B do not show the situation when the floor of the elevator car 130 is aligned with the gangway 210.

[0101] FIGS. 7A and 7B are views showing a third embodiment of the present invention, which is the same as the first embodiment except for the fixed elevator part 111 and the displaceable elevator part 112. In the third embodiment, the fixed elevator part 111 is a channel extending through a plurality of decks 310, 320 of the ship 300, and the displaceable elevator part 112 is an elongated elevator mast 185 that is height-adjustably connected to the channel through the plurality of decks.

[0102] The elevator car 130 (not shown) of the third embodiment is integrated with the displaceable elevator part 112, that is, the elongated elevator mast. Therefore, the elevator car 130 can be lifted within the displaceable elevator part 112 by a lifting device 150 (not shown) or the like. Alternatively, or additionally, even if the elevator car 130 is stationary with respect to the displaceable elevator part 112, the elevator car can also be lifted by lifting the displaceable elevator part 112, that is, the elevator mast, with respect to the fixed elevator part 111. According to this configuration, the elevator car 130 can be lifted to the same height as the gangway 210 in order to enable access between the elevator system 100 and the gangway system 200.

[0103] The elevator mast is provided with a plurality of floors 184, and when a predetermined floor is lifted to align with the height of the gangway 210, personnel and / or equipment may be able to move between the elevator car 130 and the gangway 210.

[0104] The 3In the embodiment, the displaceable elevator part 112 is height-adjusted relative to the fixed elevator part 111 by a drive system 160 (not shown), such as a rack and pinion, a hoisting winch, a hydraulic cylinder, etc.

[0105] FIG. 7A shows the height-adjustable elevator 110 of the third embodiment in the retracted / low-lift position, and FIG. 7B shows the height-adjustable elevator 110 of the third embodiment in the extended / high-lift position.

[0106] FIGS. 8A and 8B are views showing a fourth embodiment of the present invention, which is the same as the first embodiment except for the fixed elevator part 111 and the displaceable elevator part 112.

[0107] In the fourth embodiment, the height-adjustable elevator 110 is an elongated elevator mast. The fixed elevator part 111 is the lower part of the elevator mast 185 attached on the deck 310 of the ship 300, or alternatively or additionally, the fixed elevator part 111 of the fourth embodiment may be integrated into one or more closed decks 320.

[0108] Furthermore, the displaceable elevator part 112 of the fourth embodiment is the upper part of the elevator mast 185, and the upper part is rotatably connected to the lower part of the elevator mast 185, whereby it is height-adjustable relative to the lower part. The upper part may be rotated by a rotation system, i.e., a drive system 160. The rotation system may displace the displaceable elevator part 112 (upper part) relative to the fixed elevator part 111 (lower part) so that the height of the height-adjustable elevator 110 decreases, or so that the height of the height-adjustable elevator 110 increases. Figure 8B shows that the upper part rotates from a high position above the lower part (shown by a dotted line) to a low position on the side of the lower part (shown by a solid line).

[0109] The elevator car 130 (not shown) of the fourth embodiment is integrated inside the elevator shaft, i.e., the lower and upper parts of the elongated elevator masts 110 and 185. Therefore, it can be lifted inside the height-adjustable elevator 110 by means of a lifting device 150 (not shown) etc. in combination with means (not shown) for lifting the elevator car between the lower and upper parts of the elevator shaft when the upper part is in a high position.

[0110] The means for lifting the elevator car 130 between the lower and upper parts can have a set of guide rails (not shown). A set of guide rails may be arranged at the lower part and another set of guide rails may be arranged at the upper part so that the elevator always contacts a set of guide rails when moving between the lower and upper parts of the elevator masts 185 and 110. With this configuration, the elevator car can be lifted to the same height as the gangway 210 in order to enable access between the elevator system 100 and the gangway system 200.

[0111] The elevator shaft has a plurality of floors 184, and when a predetermined floor is lifted to the height of the gangway 210 and aligned to that height, personnel and / or equipment may be able to move between the elevator car 130 and the gangway 210.

[0112] FIG. 8B shows the height-adjustable elevator 110 of the fourth embodiment in the retracted / low-lift position, and FIG. 8A shows the height-adjustable elevator 110 of the fourth embodiment in the extended / high-lift position.

[0113] Figures 9A and 9B are diagrams showing a fifth embodiment of the present invention, which is the same as the first embodiment except for the fixed elevator unit 111 and the displaceable elevator unit 112. In the fifth embodiment, the height-adjustable elevator has a fixed elevator unit 111 and a displaceable elevator unit 112. The fixed elevator unit 111 is attached to and extends through a plurality of decks 310, 320 of the ship 300, and is further an elongated channel protruding vertically from the deck 310 of the ship 300. The fixed elevator unit 111 is further provided with a first support means 180 disposed on the vertical side surface of the elongated channel and supporting the structure of the elongated channel. Further, in the fourth embodiment, the displaceable elevator unit 112 is a framework structure height-adjustably connected to the fixed elevator unit 111. Figure 9A and Figure 9B As shown in Figure 9A and Figure 9B , the displaceable elevator unit 112 is telescopically connected to the fixed elevator unit 111.

[0114] Fifth The drive system 160 (not shown) of the embodiment is configured to displace the displaceable elevator unit 111, i.e., the framework structure, relative to the fixed elevator unit 111, i.e., the elongated channel. Fifth In the embodiment, this is achieved by connecting the displaceable elevator unit 112 to the second elongated pedestal 220b of the gangway system 200 by means of a second support means 183 extending from the second pedestal 220b to the position of the displaceable elevator unit 111. When the height of the second elongated pedestal 220b is adjusted, the displaceable elevator unit 112 will also be adjusted because it is physically connected to the second pedestal 220b.

[0115] The elevator car 130 is movably connected to the height-adjustable elevator 110 and can be raised along the height-adjustable elevator 110. The elevator car may be movably connected to a plurality of sets of guide rails (not shown), for example, via a plurality of sets of double wheels (not shown) rotatably attached to the elevator. When the displaceable elevator part 112 is extended with respect to the fixed elevator part 111, the elevator car 130 may be configured to always contact at least one set of guide rails.

[0116] To enable vertical movement of the elevator car 130 along the height-adjustable elevator 110, the elevator car 130 is connected to a lifting device (not shown). The lifting device may be an electric winch with corresponding cables and pulleys. As another alternative, a rack and pinion lifting device may be mentioned.

[0117] With this configuration, the elevator car can be raised to the same height as the gangway 210, that is, raised along the elongated channel and framework structure, enabling access between the elevator system 100 and the gangway system 200.

[0118] FIG. 9A shows the height-adjustable elevator 110 of the fifth embodiment in the extended / high-lift position, and FIG. 9B shows the height-adjustable elevator 110 of the embodiment in the retracted / low-lift position. Fifth The height-adjustable elevator 110 of the embodiment is shown.

[0119] Similar to the first embodiment, the elevator system 100 and the gangway 200 of the working walkway system 1 of the second, third, fourth, and fifth embodiments may be partially integrated into the superstructure (not shown) of the ship 300.

[0120] In all embodiments, the working walkway system 1 is shown arranged laterally on the ship 300 as shown in FIG. 1, or it can also be arranged longitudinally on the ship 300 (not shown) or in other ways.

[0121] It should also be understood that the specific features of the present invention described above in the context of separate embodiments can be provided in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, the various features of the present invention described in the context of a single embodiment for the sake of brevity may also be provided separately or in any suitable sub-combination.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0122] 1 Working Walkway System 100 Elevator System 110 Height-Adjustable Elevator (Telescopic Elevator) 111 Fixed Elevator Portion 112 Displaceable Elevator Portion 113 First Elevator End 114 Second Elevator End 130 Elevator Car 131 Elevator Car Door (Lift Car Door) 140a First Set of Double Guide Rails 140b Second Set of Double Guide Rails 150 Lifting Device 151 Lifting Device Cable 152 Lifting Device Pulley 160 Drive System Mu 1 80 First Support Means 181 First Cylinder 182 Second Cylinder 183 Second Support Means 184 Floor 185 Elevator Mast 200 Gangway System 210 Gangway 220 Height-Adjustable Elongated Pedestal 220a First Elongated Pedestal Portion (Outer Elongated Pedestal Portion) 220b Second Elongated Pedestal Portion (Inner Elongated Pedestal Portion) 221 First Elongated Pedestal End 222 Second elongated pedestal end 230 Bridge 231 First bridge part 232 Second bridge part 240 Access platform 250 Support means (support structure) 251 Collar 260 Landing door 270 Safety fence 280 Safety barrier 300 Ship (marine structure) 301 Ship hull 302 Ship superstructure 310 Open deck (Deck 5) 320 Closed deck (Decks 1, 2, 3, 4) 400 Offshore wind turbine (offshore structure) 410 Wind turbine service platform 420 Tower A BSA Blade sweep area D g Gangway diameter H g Height between the first elongated pedestal end and the gangway H sp Height of the fixed elevator part H tp Height of the displaceable elevator part L g Length of the gangway radius W sp Width of the fixed elevator part

Claims

1. A working walkway system (1) for enabling the movement of personnel and / or equipment between a ship (300) and a wind turbine (400), wherein the working walkway system (1) comprises a gangway system (200), The gangway system (200) is An adjustable elongated pedestal (220) having a first elongated pedestal end (221) attachable to the decks (310, 320) of the ship (300), the adjustable elongated pedestal (220) comprising a first pedestal portion (220a) and a second pedestal portion (220b) height-adjustably connected to the first pedestal portion (220a), At a height H from the first elongated pedestal end portion (221) g is rotatably connected to the height-adjustable elongated pedestal (220) and has a length L from the central axis of the height-adjustable elongated pedestal (220) g and includes a gangway (210) extending radially therein The working walkway system (1) further comprises an elevator system (100) arranged radially offset from the gangway system (200). The elevator system (100) is An adjustable elongated elevator (110) having a first elevator end (113) attachable to the decks (310, 320) of the ship (300), the adjustable elongated elevator (110) having a fixed elevator portion (111) and a displaceable elevator portion (112) height-adjustably connected to the fixed elevator portion (111), A drive system (160) configured to displace the displaceable elevator portion (112) relative to the fixed elevator portion (111) along the height of the elevator (110), An elevator car (130) movably connected to the adjustable elevator (110), the elevator car (130) being configured to be raised to the same height as the gangway (210) to enable access between the elevator system (100) and the gangway system (200), A working walkway system (1) comprising a lifting device (150) configured to move the elevator car (130) of the adjustable elevator (110).

2. The working walkway system (1) according to claim 1, wherein the fixed elevator portion (111) and the displaceable elevator portion (112) are shafts telescopically connected to each other.

3. The working walkway system (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first pedestal portion (220a) and the second pedestal portion (220b) are telescopically connected to each other.

4. The gangway (210) is the working walkway system (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, rotatably connected to the second pedestal part (220b).

5. The gangway system (200) further includes a bridge (230) connected to a radially outer position of the gangway (210), The bridge (230) is the working walkway system (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, rotatably connected to the gangway (210) with a rotation axis directed in a direction orthogonal to the height direction of the pedestal (220).

6. The bridge (230) is the working walkway system (1) according to claim 5, configured such that its length is adjustable.

7. The working walkway system (1) further includes a movement compensation control system that enables movement compensation of the bridge (230) with respect to the gangway (210), the working walkway system (1) according to claim 5 or 6.

8. The gangway system (200) further includes an access platform (240), The access platform (240) is supported by the elongated pedestal (220) via a support structure (250), and the access platform (240) is disposed in the vicinity of the gangway (210) or at the same height Hg, the working walkway system (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

9. The gangway system (200) is the working walkway system (1) according to claim 8, configured such that the gangway (210) can rotate independently of the access platform (240).

10. The displaceable elevator part (112) is movably connected to the fixed elevator part (111) via guide rails (140a, 140b), the working walkway system (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

11. A ship (300) comprising a hull (301), an open deck (310), a closed deck (320), an upper structure (302) disposed on the decks (310, 320), and the working walkway system (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the working walkway system (1) is connected to the open deck (310).

12. The ship (300) according to claim 11, wherein the height-adjustable elongated elevator (110) is configured such that its minimum height is lower than the highest point of the superstructure (302) of the ship (300).

13. The ship (300) according to claim 11 or 12, wherein the height-adjustable elongated pedestal (220) is at least partially integrated with the superstructure (302) of the ship (300).

14. The ship (300) according to any one of claims 11 to 13, wherein the fixed elevator part (111) is fixed to the open deck (310) and / or one or more closed decks (320) of the ship (300).

15. A method for transferring personnel and / or equipment between a first floating offshore structure (300) having a working walkway system (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 10 and a second offshore structure (400) having a service platform (410), or between a ship (300) according to any one of claims 11 to 14 and the second offshore structure (400), the method comprising: A. Stabilizing the first floating offshore structure (300) relative to the second offshore structure (400); B. Adjusting the height-adjustable elongated pedestal (220) to a height that enables access of personnel and / or equipment between the gangway (210) of the height-adjustable elongated pedestal (220) and the service platform (410) of the second offshore structure (400), thereby bringing the gangway system (200) into contact or substantially into contact with the service platform (410); C. Maintaining the contact or the substantially contact by using a motion compensation control system that compensates for relative movement between the first offshore structure (300) and the second offshore structure (400); D. Adjusting the height-adjustable elongated elevator (110) to a height at which the elevator car (130) can be raised to the same height as the gangway (210); E. Raising the elevator car (130) having personnel and / or equipment from an initial position in the elongated elevator (110) to the same height as the gangway (210). F. moving personnel and / or equipment between the service platform (410) of the first floating offshore structure (300) and the second offshore structure (400) via the elevator system (100) and the gangway system (200). A method having this step.

16. The method according to claim 15, wherein the second offshore structure (400) is an offshore wind turbine.

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