EP1565619B1 - Device for landing a watercraft at a water-based structure - Google Patents

Abstract

Disclosed is a device for landing at least one watercraft (12) at a water-based structure, especially a tower-shaped section of a water-based structure, preferably a wind power plant. Said device comprises a preferably platform-type landing station (10). The invention is characterized by the fact that the landing station (10) can be moved between a first position (I) located in the area of the water surface in order to secure a watercraft (12) and a second position (II) located above the water surface.

Description

The invention relates to a hydraulic structure with a tower-shaped section and a device for applying at least one watercraft to the tower-shaped section of a hydraulic structure, wherein the device has a platform-like docking station and the hydraulic structure is arranged a lifting device for moving the docking station, so that the docking station between a first position in the area of the water surface for the application of a watercraft and a second position above the water surface, in which the application of a watercraft is not possible, along the wall of the tower-shaped portion of the hydraulic structure movable and further at least in its first position about an axis of rotation which is approximately in Direction of movement of the docking station between the first and the second position extends, at least in a limited angular range along the wall of the tower-shaped portion of the hydraulic structure is freely pivotable.

Mooring devices for tower-shaped hydraulic structures are already known. Usually, these are in the water surface, so that a person of z. B. can exceed a ship and then via a ladder that leads up to the tower-shaped hydraulic structure, a service platform or wind turbines and the nacelle reached. In the event that the applicator can not be reached for some reason, e.g. B. in too high waves, in addition, a platform can be additionally provided at an elevated point on the hydraulic structure, where people can be lowered from a helicopter by means of a winch. The use of helicopters for this purpose is very expensive, in addition, the lowering over a winch is dangerous.

From the JP 54157951 A Although it is known to arrange a platform movable between a first position in the region of the water surface and a second position above the water surface along the wall of a hydraulic structure. However, this hydraulic structure is a pier with a rectilinear, planar wall, to which are attached two parallel vertical guide rails which extend beyond the top of the hydraulic structure and receive rollers of a carriage carrying the platform. In that regard, the platform is fixed immovably in the horizontal direction.

The US 4,590,634 A describes a common gangway or swing bridge for docking a ship on an offshore platform. The outer end of the swing bridge is secured to a rope of a crane. The inner end of the pivoting bridge is articulated on the offshore platform, by means of a pivot bearing arrangement, which allows both a pivoting in the vertical direction about a horizontally arranged hinge pin and a rotational movement in the horizontal direction about a vertically arranged pivot pin. The pivot bearing assembly is disposed at a fixed height on the offshore platform and fixes the inner end of the pivot bridge in height with respect to the offshore platform.

A similar swivel bridge arrangement is in the US 4,003,473 A disclosed which is intended for placement on a pier.

The US 4,740,108 A shows a lifting bridge, which is suspended at their ends by means of cables to vertical supports and also on the supports enclosing tubular guides with the supports is in sliding engagement, whereby the lifting bridge is raised and lowered.

A similar lift bridge is in the AU 425219 B disclosed, which differs from the previously described known lifting bridge in that instead of a cable suspension the lifting movement is effected by a hydraulic.

The US 5,868,514 A describes a watercraft lift to selectively lift a small craft such as a jet ski out of the water and let it into the water. To accommodate the watercraft, a platform is supported on a vertical pole and by means of a cable pulling device in the vertical direction along the pile between a lower position in which the platform is immersed in the water, and an upper position in which the platform above the water surface is located at the height of an adjacent bridge, can be raised and lowered.

According to the invention, a hydraulic structure with a tower-shaped section and a device for applying at least one watercraft to the tower-shaped section of a hydraulic structure is proposed, wherein the device has a platform-like docking station and a lifting device for moving the landing station is arranged on the hydraulic structure, so that the docking station between a first Position in the area of the water surface to create a vessel and one above the Water surface located second position in which the application of a watercraft is not possible, along the wall of the tower-shaped portion of the hydraulic structure movable and further at least in its first position about an axis of rotation which is approximately in the direction of movement of the landing station between the first and the second position runs, at least in a limited angular range along the wall of the tower-shaped portion of the hydraulic structure is freely pivotable, characterized in that the platform-like docking station surrounds the tower-shaped portion of the hydraulic structure, wherein the tower-shaped portion has a circular cross section and / or on the wall approximately in the direction of movement the landing station extending sliding elements are designed and arranged so that their sliding surfaces, with which the docking station is in sliding engagement, lie substantially in a cylindrical plane or aligned tangentially to this t are.

Accordingly, with the aid of the invention, at the tower-shaped section of a hydraulic structure, a landing device can be realized, the landing station of which is protected by methods in the second position from the sea state. In this way, the application device is not exposed to permanent waves and salt water, whereby the material is spared and thus the lifetime of such a docking device can be considerably extended. In addition, due to the movable arrangement of the landing station according to the invention, a safe driving of the hydraulic structure and thus a safe transfer of a person from a ship to the hydraulic structure allows by the mooring station depending on water level and wave height to the first position or an overlying position accordingly can be adjusted.

Furthermore, there is no direct pivotal connection between the docking station and the hydraulic structure; the mooring station is therefore not articulated directly to the hydraulic structure via a joint, hinge or the like. Rather, according to the teachings of the invention, the docking station relative to the corresponding wall of the tower-shaped portion of the hydraulic structure, at least in the horizontal direction freely movable. The free Verschenkbarkeit is realized only by the arrangement of the lifting device.

The inventive suspension of the landing station, the surface roughness of the wall of the hydraulic structure is not affected in an undesirable manner, since neither the docking station nor the lifting device and other components are in the diving area.

Unlike, for example, with swivel bridges, no torque is exerted on the hydraulic structure in the direction of gravity, in particular if the landing station is moved between the first and the second position. This is inventively achieved in that the application station is arranged on a lifting device by which the application station is moved in its height between the first and the second position along the wall of the tower-shaped portion of the hydraulic structure. This movement is therefore a substantially vertical lifting movement. A pivoting movement about a horizontal pivot axis, however, does not take place so far; Accordingly, no corresponding hinge or joint on the hydraulic structure is provided and required, which would otherwise adversely affect the statics of the hydraulic structure.

Another - and particularly important - advantage of the special arrangement of the landing station according to the present invention is that a resilient mounting of the landing station is provided in the horizontal direction, whereby at least a portion of the energy occurring in at Converted rotational energy and thus the hydraulic structure is not burdened by additional torsional moments. This is inventively achieved in that the docking station is arranged on the lifting device such that the landing station is freely verschenkbar at least in a limited angular range along the wall of the tower-shaped portion of the hydraulic structure about a pivot or rotation axis, approximately in by the lifting movement between The first and second position defined direction of movement of the landing station runs without even forming a hinge or a joint. Because according to the teaching of the invention there is no direct pivotal connection between the landing station and the hydraulic structure. Rather, the free pivoting is realized only by the arrangement of the lifting device.

The second position forms in particular a rest position in which the docking station is when it is not needed, but is out of order.

Preferably, the docking station hangs on the lifting device. According to a preferred embodiment of this embodiment of the invention, the lifting device on a cable on which hangs the docking station. For this purpose, the lifting device usually has a deflection device to be provided on the hydraulic structure, which preferably has at least one Has deflection pulley, for deflecting the cable and a below the deflection within the hydraulic structure to be arranged drive means for winding and unwinding of the cable, wherein it is particularly advantageous for structural and static considerations, the drive means for placement in the bottom area, ie in the foot or on the Foundation to provide the hydraulic structure.

In the event that the tower-shaped section of the hydraulic structure has a circular cross section, according to a further preferred embodiment, the application device is in sliding engagement with a wall of the hydraulic structure and is supported on the wall, preferably by means of a sliding and / or roller bearing.

Preferably, the sliding elements may extend approximately in the direction of movement of the docking station. For this purpose, the sliding elements can expediently be rail-shaped.

According to a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the sliding elements may be designed and arranged such that their sliding surfaces, with which the application station is in sliding engagement, are arranged substantially equidistant from one another over their entire length in the direction of movement of the application station. In this way, in the case of a height-varying shape of the hydraulic structure, the sliding elements can serve as spacers to compensate for the change in the shape of the hydraulic structure accordingly; This is especially true in the case of a conical shape of the hydraulic structure to compensate for the smaller diameter accordingly.

According to a further particularly preferred embodiment, the landing station has a truss structure. The impact forces introduced punctually by a mooring ship are picked up and distributed by a truss structure. Since the impact forces at the individual nodes of the trusses divide and thereby act distributed at several points on the hydraulic structure, the individual loads for the hydraulic structure are substantially lower than at punctual impact. Furthermore, a truss structure has a spring effect. Because due to the elasticity of the truss structure formed by the truss structure and thereby relatively long deformation path, the hydraulic structure is also spared in the event of a shock. Finally, a truss structure has a relatively low weight and offers less attack surface in Seeschlag as a continuous plating.

According to an advantageous development of the previously discussed embodiment, the truss structure has at least one rod which extends past the wall of the hydraulic structure, preferably tangentially to the latter. In this case, the at least one rod should extend approximately from the landing. Finally, it is expedient to provide at least one pair of rods, of which one rod extends from the landing to one side of the wall and the other rod from the landing to the other side of the wall of the hydraulic structure. Such an arrangement of bars is particularly advantageous for absorbing impact forces in order to derive them in a particularly gentle manner for the hydraulic structure.

Figur 1

in Seitenansicht der untere Teil eines auf dem Meeresboden stehenden Turmes mit einer höhenverstellbaren Plattform, die in ihrer unteren Position vollständig und in ihrer oberen Position ausschnittsweise dargestellt ist, sowie mit zwei daran angelegten Schiffen; und

Figur 2

eine Draufsicht auf die Anordnung von Figur 1, wobei der Turm in Schnittansicht dargestellt ist.

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the invention will be explained in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Show it:

FIG. 1

in side view of the lower part of a standing on the seabed tower with a height-adjustable platform, which is shown in its lower position completely and in its upper position in sections, and with two ships attached to it; and

FIG. 2

a plan view of the arrangement of FIG. 1 , wherein the tower is shown in sectional view.

In FIG. 1 the lower part of a tower 2 is shown, which is anchored on a foundation 4 on the seabed 6. The tower 2 may be, for example, the tower of an offshore wind power station.

For maintenance work on the tower 2, it is necessary to provide a docking device that allows for different water levels and depending on the wind, waves and currents safe docking a ship to safely translate maintenance personnel for work on and in the tower 2 can. For this purpose, a platform 10 is provided, which surrounds the tower 2 in the illustrated embodiment, in particular FIG. 2 lets recognize. The platform 10 may have different basic shapes. For example, it is conceivable to make the platform 10 circular or polygonal. In FIG. 2 With regard to the basic form, two different embodiments are shown in each case in half,
the according to FIG. 2 upper half represents a platform of rectangular basic shape and is denoted by the reference numeral "10-1" and the according to FIG. 2 lower half represents a platform with octagonal basic shape and is designated by the reference numeral "10-2". How further FIG. 1 is the platform 10 between a lower first position, the in FIG. 1 is denoted by "I", and an upper second position which is in FIG. 1 is denoted by "II", mounted in the vertical direction along the tower 2 movable, with the aid of a lifting device described in more detail below. The lower first position I is the landing position in which at least one ship can dock on platform 10; in the figures, two ships 12 are shown by way of example, have moored diametrically opposite to the platform.

The platform 10 has, in the illustrated embodiment, a welded pipe construction, which forms a framework, to suitcase occurring ramming abkoffern by mooring ships against the tower 2. In this context, reference should be made in particular to the FIG. 2 identifiable pairs of rods 14, 15, each of which is a rod 14 from a location adjacent to the center of the outside of the platform 10 tangent to one side of the wall 2a of the tower 2 and the other rod 15 from one adjacent to the center of the Outside of the platform 10 opposite location extends tangentially to the other side of the wall 2a of the tower 2, as FIG. 2 lets recognize.

In the illustrated embodiment, the platform 10 spans the tower 2 in several planes, which are designed in truss structure. The individual levels are interconnected by unspecified vertical pipe supports. In order to make the truss structure of the platform 10 more rigid, additional pipe supports are additionally drawn diagonally from level to level.

The top of the platform 10 is provided with unspecified carrier grates to make the platform 10 accessible. As a fall protection, the platform 10 is carried out to the sea side with a railing 16.

Along the tower 2 a plurality of guide or slide rails 18 are mounted, which extend in the vertical direction, such as FIG. 1 lets recognize. Each quadrant of the tower 2 is provided in the illustrated embodiment with two slide rails 18. The slide rails 18 form on its outer side sliding surfaces, wherein the slide rails 18 are arranged in the illustrated embodiment on the tower 2, that the sliding surfaces lie in a cylindrical plane to corresponding in an upper conical portion 2b of the tower 2 over the height of decreasing diameter compensate.

Inwardly to the tower 2, each level of the platform 10 by a circumferential support ring 20 (see. FIG. 2 ) completed. This support ring is recessed only in the area of an emergency ladder, not shown on the tower 2 and serves as an abutment against the slide rails 18. Accordingly, the inner surface of the support rings 20 abuts against the slide rails 18 and thus is in sliding engagement with these. For better sliding, the carrier rings 20 are covered on their inner surfaces with appropriate suitable sliding material.

In order to store the platform 10 in the already mentioned manner in a vertical direction between the lower position I and the upper position II, the platform 10 is suspended in the illustrated embodiment on four tension cables 22, each via pulleys 24 in the interior of the tower. 2 be redirected. As FIG. 1 can be seen, the pulleys 24 are arranged in the wall 2a of the tower 2 above the upper position II. Furthermore, non-illustrated inlet openings are formed there, through which the ropes 22 enter the interior of the tower 2. Accordingly, in the illustrated embodiment, a traction cable 22 and an associated deflection roller 24 are provided on the tower 2 in each quadrant. Furthermore, not shown in detail on the tower sleeve bushings are arranged for the four traction cables 22. Within the tower 2, the traction cables 22 are deflected to a drum winch 26, which is placed inside the tower 2, as in FIG. 2 is indicated. Conveniently, the winch 26 sits in the foot of the tower 2 above the foundation 4. The winch 26 is driven by a first electric motor, not shown. For safety reasons, a second electric motor, also not shown, is also provided in order to be able to drive the winch in the event of a fault in the first electric motor. Finally, the winch 26 should be designed so that in the event of power failure, the winch 26 can also be operated mechanically, eg by means of a hand crank. The winch 26 is further provided with a brake, not shown, in order to fix the platform 10 at any desired height between the lower position I and the upper position II. Finally, limit switches, not shown, may be provided in the winch 26 to turn off the winch 26 when the platform 10 reaches one of the two positions I or II.

The platform 10 is freely pivotable about the vertical longitudinal axis of the tower 2 over a limited angular range on both sides. Therefore, the traction cables 22 are rotatably mounted on the platform 10, so that even when pivoting the platform 10, caused by the application of a ship 12, the traction cables 22 do not rotate. For this purpose, as tension cables 22 also low-twist ropes are used.

The winch 26 can be operated by means of a remote control from the ship 12 or from the platform 10. Furthermore, a third operating option can be provided on the tower 2.

The tower 2 can also be arranged in the region of the lower position I stops not shown, on which the platform 10 comes to lie in its lower position I. In the upper position II, the platform 10 can be mechanically locked, by a locking device, not shown, whereby the traction cables 22 and the winch 26 are relieved.

For secure application, the platform 10 is equipped with a plurality of fenders 30 of different sizes. In this case, larger fenders are provided in the illustrated embodiments at the corners of the platform 10-1 and 10-2 than at intermediate points. The individual fenders 30 are cylindrical and rotatably mounted about vertical axes of rotation, so that when creating a ship 10, a part of the energy occurring by impact forces is converted into rotational energy and thus the tower 2 is not additionally burdened by torsional. In addition, the so-suggesting ship 12 turns off when driving in the right direction and minimizes the friction occurring during forward and backward movement of the ship 12.

Preferably, the fenders consist of a body of cell-closed plastic material whose hardness increases from outside to inside. Generally, the degree of hardness of Fenders 30 should be relatively soft, i. with a low Shore hardness, be designed to achieve the highest possible degree of compressibility. In this way, as much energy of the elastic shock should be absorbed in the fenders 30 in order to keep the load in the platform 10 and the tower 2 as low as possible.

At the four docking sides of the platform 10 is in each case centrally between the fenders 30, a vertical transfer ladder 32 (see. FIG. 1 ), which extends from the lower to the upper level of the platform 10 and is bounded laterally by vertical protective strips, not shown. Such a ladder 32 is intended to prevent trapping of persons when crossing the ship 12 to the platform 10.

Finally, it should be noted that the carrier rings 20 (see. FIG. 2 ) are recessed in the region of an emergency conductor arranged on the tower 2, which is not shown in the figures.

For an intended maintenance of tower 2, a ship picks up 12 service personnel at the port or from a larger work ship and relocates it to the job site. Locally on the tower 2, the platform 10 is moved from the upper position II, which usually forms the rest or stowed position, adjusted to one of the tides and the sea level adjusted height down. The skipper then maneuvers the vessel 12 from the optimal direction to the platform 10. Thereafter, the service personnel adjust a swell and climb the wave mountain on the ladder 32 on the platform 10 or directly on the platform 10, as in FIG. 1 is shown schematically. While working on the tower 2, the platform 10 can of course be adjusted in height accordingly, the second position II forms the upper position. In this context, it is also conceivable that the tower 2 has an entrance door in the region of the upper position II in order to carry out further maintenance work there and also to be able to reach the interior of the tower 2. After completion of the maintenance work, the platform 10 is in any case moved back to the upper position II, which, as already mentioned, also forms the rest or stowed position. The upper position II is located so far above the water surface, that the platform 10 of swell and Seeschlag can not be achieved.

Claims (12)

1. Water-based structure with a tower-shaped portion and a device for landing at least one watercraft (12) at the tower-shaped portion of the water-based structure (2), wherein the device has a platform-like landing station (10) and a lifting mechanism (22, 24, 26) for displacing the landing station (10) is arranged at the water-based structure (2), so that the landing station (10) can be moved along the wall of the tower-shaped portion of the water-based structure (2) between a first position (I) in the region of the water surface to land a watercraft (13) and a second position (II) located above the water surface, in which it is not possible to land a watercraft (12), and furthermore, at least in its first position (I), can be freely pivoted about an axis of rotation, which extends approximately in the direction of the movement of the landing station (10) between the first and second position (I, II), at least in a limited angle range, along the wall of the tower-shaped portion of the water-based structure, characterised in that the platform-like landing station surrounds the tower-shaped portion of the water-based structure, wherein the tower-shaped portion has a circular cross section and/or, at the wall (2a) thereof, sliding elements (18) extending in the movement direction of the landing station (10) are configured and arranged in such a way that their sliding faces, with which the landing station (10) is in sliding engagement, are located in a cylindrical plane or are oriented tangentially with respect thereto.
2. Water-based structure according to claim 1, characterised in that the second position (II) forms a rest position into which the landing station (10) is displaced when it is out of operation.
3. Water-based structure according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the landing station (10) is suspended on the lifting mechanism (22, 24, 26).
4. Water-based structure according to claim 3, characterised in that the lifting mechanism has a cable pull (22), on which the landing station (10) is suspended.
5. Water-based structure according to claim 4, characterised in that the lifting mechanism has a deflection mechanism (24) arranged on the water-based structure (2), which preferably has at least one deflection roller to deflect the cable pull (22) and a drive mechanism (26) arranged below the deflection mechanism (24) inside the water-based structure (2) for winding and unwinding the cable pull (22).
6. Water-based structure according to claim 5, characterised in that the drive mechanism (26) is arranged in the base region of the water-based structure (2).
7. Water-based structure according to at least any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that if the tower-shaped portion has a circular cross section, the landing station (10) is supported by means of a sliding and/or roller bearing on the wall (2a) of the water-based structure (2).
8. Water-based structure according to at least any ane of the preceding claims, characterised in that the sliding elements (18) are rail-shaped.
9. water-based structure according to at least any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the landing station (16) has a framework construction.
10. water-based structure according to claim 9, characterised in that the framework construction has at least one bar (14, 15), which extends past the wall (2a) of the water-based structure (2), preferably tangentially with respect thereto.
11. water-based structure according to claim 10, in which the landing station (10) has at least one landing location, characterised, in that the at least one bar (14, 15) extends approximately from the landing location.
12. Water-based structure according to claim 11,
    characterised by at least one pair of bars (14, 15), of which one bar (14) extends from the landing location to one side of the wall (2a) and the other bar (15) extends from the landing location to the other side of the wall (2a) of the water-based structure (2).

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