Telescopic Gangway Step Unit for Continuous Motion-Compensated Transfer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Telescopic gangways experience discomfort and hindered transfer due to sudden shifts and fast movements, particularly affecting ease of transferring people and loads between parts.
Innovation Solution
A telescopic gangway design featuring a first and second gangway part with overlapping walkboards and an angled step unit, incorporating a first coupling unit for longitudinal movement and a translating coupling unit for transverse movement, enhancing ease and safety of transfer by absorbing relative movements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the telescopic gangway uses active telescoping actuators to hold the distal end in close proximity to the offshore structure, then the gangway can compensate for relative motion between vessel and structure, but sudden shifts and fast movements occur that hinder transfer and cause discomfort
Solution Approach 1:
The gangway is divided into multiple segments (first gangway part, second gangway part, angled step unit) that can move independently. The coupling units allow each segment to accommodate relative motion separately, breaking the rigid structure into flexible sections that reduce sudden shifts during transfer.
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling units are designed to be dynamic rather than rigid, allowing controlled movement in specific directions. The first coupling unit allows longitudinal movement while the translating coupling unit allows transverse movement, enabling the gangway to adapt to vessel motion dynamically without creating harmful sudden shifts.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the telescopic gangway allows relative movement between gangway parts to compensate for vessel motion, then motion compensation is achieved, but gaps and obstacles appear that hinder continuous transfer path
Solution Approach 1:
The angled step unit acts as an intermediary element between the first and second gangway parts. It provides a physical bridge that maintains continuous foot support while allowing the coupling units to move independently for motion compensation. The overlapping walkboards create an intermediate zone that ensures continuous path coverage.
Solution Approach 2:
The translating coupling unit introduces movement in a transverse dimension perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. This additional degree of freedom allows the gangway to compensate for multi-directional vessel motion while maintaining continuous path coverage through the angled step unit's geometric design.
3Speed
If the gangway parts move quickly to compensate for relative motion, then response to vessel motion is improved, but accelerations increase causing discomfort and injury risk
Solution Approach 1:
The overlapping walkboards and angled step unit create a cushioning effect before sudden movements occur. The geometric configuration provides a transition zone that absorbs and distributes acceleration forces, reducing the impact on persons during rapid motion compensation events.
Data Source
AI summary
A telescopic gangway, comprising a telescopable first and second gangway part, such as a telescoping boom and main boom. The first gangway part has a first walkboard, such as a first grating, and the second gangway part has a second walkboard, such as a second grating, that partially overlaps the first walkboard. The gangway further comprises an angled step unit providing a transition from the first walkboard to the second walkboard, such that the first walkboard, the second walkboard and the angled step unit form an assembled walkboard path. Here, the angled step unit has a first coupling unit, such as a comb plate, that is coupled to the first walkboard for allowing a movement in the longitudinal direction. The angled step unit has also a translating coupling unit that is coupled to the second walkboard, preferably for allowing a movement in a direction transverse to the longitudinal direction.