EP2692630A1 - Hebetriebwerkvorrichtung - Google Patents

Hebetriebwerkvorrichtung Download PDF

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Publication number
EP2692630A1
EP2692630A1 EP12764722.0A EP12764722A EP2692630A1 EP 2692630 A1 EP2692630 A1 EP 2692630A1 EP 12764722 A EP12764722 A EP 12764722A EP 2692630 A1 EP2692630 A1 EP 2692630A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
thruster
elevation
canister
vertically movable
rack
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP12764722.0A
Other languages
English (en)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP2692630A4 (de
Inventor
Kenichi ONODA
Tatsuya ONODERA
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Kawasaki Heavy Industries Ltd
Kawasaki Motors Ltd
Original Assignee
Kawasaki Heavy Industries Ltd
Kawasaki Jukogyo KK
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Kawasaki Heavy Industries Ltd, Kawasaki Jukogyo KK filed Critical Kawasaki Heavy Industries Ltd
Publication of EP2692630A1 publication Critical patent/EP2692630A1/de
Publication of EP2692630A4 publication Critical patent/EP2692630A4/de
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

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    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B63—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; RELATED EQUIPMENT
    • B63H—MARINE PROPULSION OR STEERING
    • B63H5/00—Arrangements on vessels of propulsion elements directly acting on water
    • B63H5/07—Arrangements on vessels of propulsion elements directly acting on water of propellers
    • B63H5/125—Arrangements on vessels of propulsion elements directly acting on water of propellers movably mounted with respect to hull, e.g. adjustable in direction, e.g. podded azimuthing thrusters
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B63—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; RELATED EQUIPMENT
    • B63H—MARINE PROPULSION OR STEERING
    • B63H25/00—Steering; Slowing-down otherwise than by use of propulsive elements; Dynamic anchoring, i.e. positioning vessels by means of main or auxiliary propulsive elements
    • B63H25/42—Steering or dynamic anchoring by propulsive elements; Steering or dynamic anchoring by propellers used therefor only; Steering or dynamic anchoring by rudders carrying propellers
    • B63H2025/425—Propulsive elements, other than jets, substantially used for steering or dynamic anchoring only, with means for retracting, or otherwise moving to a rest position outside the water flow around the hull

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a vertically movable thruster apparatus (up-down type) which incorporates therein a thruster for use to hold in a fixed position a drill ship, a floating production facility or the like.
  • the exploration for sea bottom oil and gas field has been performed in offshore areas located away from the land.
  • sea bottom oil and gas field exploration tends to proceed into further greater water depths.
  • drill ships, floating production facilities and so on which are used in the exploration in areas of greater water depth
  • drilling of the sea bottom by the drill ship or the like takes place several thousand meters below the sea surface. Therefore, the drill ship or the like is adapted to be held in a fixed position over sea without having to be anchored to the sea bottom.
  • systems equipped with a plurality of thrusters for performing attitude control have been used more and more.
  • the thruster may fail to operate properly due to long-term use or may need unexpected maintenance.
  • the drill ship or the like is not allowed to leave the fixed position because, for example, the state of drilling of the sea bottom by an excavation drill must be maintained. Therefore, if inspection and repair are required for a thruster, this will give rise to, for example, underwater removal of the thruster by divers, which is carried out with difficulty.
  • a vessel characterized in that the thruster is moved vertically by a rack and pinion drive system or by a hydraulic cylinder drive system.
  • the rack and pinion drive system the pinion is provided on the thruster, and the rack on the side of the ship's hull is allowed to extend upward, whereby the thruster can be moved upward beyond the waterline along the rack by the pinion.
  • the hydraulic cylinder drive system an elevation (up-down) cylinder is suspended under the deck and an elevation (up-down) body is moved upward and downward by the elevation cylinder (for example, see Patent Literature 1).
  • Patent Literature 1 requires a large-size drive device capable of moving a large load upward and downward in order that the thruster is moved upward and downward by the rack and pinion drive system.
  • a reduction gear mechanism is a machine-finished product, which means that the elevation device is costly.
  • the push-up length, for which the thruster is required to be moved upward is accomplished by a single step of the hydraulic cylinder.
  • the stroke of the hydraulic cylinder required to make becomes long.
  • the thruster of a great weight is moved upward and downward above the waterline, therefore requiring a considerably large-scale device in order to have sufficient buckling strength.
  • the telescopic type rod is sequentially extended and contracted so that the thruster is moved upward (downward) for a required upward movement (downward movement) length. This makes the cylinder complicated in structure.
  • a considerably large-scale device is required for sufficient buckling strength, which will cost considerably.
  • an object of the present invention is to provide a vertically movable thruster apparatus including a compact elevation device, which is capable of raising a thruster to a position above a waterline for inspection and repair even at an offshore operation site.
  • the present invention provides a vertically movable thruster apparatus, including a thruster disposed so as to project downward from a bottom thereof, and a canister which incorporates therein a drive device for driving the thruster and is vertically movable in a vertical passageway provided in a ship's hull, the vertically movable thruster apparatus comprising: at least one pair of racks of required length which are disposed in respective positions of outer surfaces of the canister that are opposite each other in a horizontal direction and each of which has tooth sections of constant pitch in a vertical direction; guide members which are vertically disposed along the racks, respectively; and one pair of elevation devices for bringing the canister into vertical movement between an operative position of the thruster and a position above a waterline along the one pair of racks in the vertical passageway, wherein each of the one pair of elevation devices includes: a pair of upper and lower catches which are independently brought into fitting engagement and disengagement with respective tooth sections in positions vertically spaced apart in the rack; a pair of
  • ship's hull refers to an object which includes a drill ship, a floating production facility, etc., and into which a vertically movable thruster apparatus is incorporated.
  • canister refers to a tubular container from which bottom a thruster projects downward and which incorporates therein a drive device adapted to drive the thruster.
  • the catch With one of the catches brought into fitting engagement with a tooth section of the rack provided in the canister, the catch is moved upward by the elevation cylinder. Thereafter, the other catch is brought into fitting engagement with a tooth section of the rack thereby to support the load of the vertically movable thruster apparatus, and the one catch is disengaged from the tooth section and then moved downward by the elevation cylinder so as to be brought into fitting engagement with a lower tooth section. Thereafter, the other catch is disengaged from the tooth section, and the one catch is moved upward by the elevation cylinder.
  • the compact elevation device including the elevation cylinder of a short stroke.
  • the compact elevation device can move the vertically movable thruster apparatus vertically between an operative position and a position above a waterline. Moreover, since each of the elevation devices is independently provided for each of the pair of the racks, this configuration makes it possible that an increase in the cross-section of the canister associated with an increase in size of the thruster can easily be addressed without an increase in size of the frames of the elevation device.
  • the pair of upper and lower frames may be mounted such that the lower frame is firmly fastened to the vertical passageway.
  • This configuration makes it possible to move the vertically movable thruster apparatus upward and downward while its own weight is being supported on the bore side of a larger area of the elevation cylinder disposed between the pair of upper and lower frames, and hence the elevation cylinder can be used in optimal design.
  • the vertical passageway may include a maintenance and inspection floor in a position above a waterline
  • the canister may include racks of required length for upward movement of the thruster to the position of the maintenance and inspection floor
  • each of the elevation devices may be disposed in a position of required height in the vertical passageway so that the thruster is movable upward from its operative position to the position of the maintenance and inspection floor.
  • the pair of upper and lower frames may include: drive cylinders for independently bringing the catches into fitting engagement and disengagement with the rack in an upper position and in a lower position, respectively; and guide sections for bringing the catches into fitting engagement and disengagement with respective tooth sections of the rack by extending and contracting motions of the drive cylinders.
  • Each of the elevation cylinders may be configured such that, during operation of the thruster, the elevation cylinder brings the pair of upper and lower catches into fitting engagement with respective tooth sections of the rack to exert forces of opposite vertical directions on the catches thereby to hold a vertical load acting against the canister.
  • a method of holding the load acting against the canister in which forces in opposite directions are exerted on the pair of catches, and thereby a vertical static load acting against the canister is held by the catches provided in the frames which are firmly fastened to the vertical passageway while a dynamic load acting against the canister in an opposite direction relative to the static load due to ocean waves or the like is held by the catches provided in the elevatable frames.
  • the vertical passageway may include fixing sections for the elevation device which are arranged in a plurality of positions vertically spaced apart; and a load holding device for temporarily holding the load of the vertically movable thruster apparatus when effecting a change of the fixing sections, and the elevation device may include fastening means detachable to the fixing sections of the vertical passageway.
  • the vertical passageway may include: a support guide for supporting a horizontal force acting against the canister; and an enclosing plate which reduces in a position of the support guide, a spacing between the canister and the vertical passageway over an entire circumference. According to this configuration, it becomes possible to suppress a fluctuation of water surface between the vertical passageway and the canister due to ocean waves on the water.
  • the vertically movable thruster apparatus may comprise a jack for supporting the canister in a horizontal direction, between the support guide and the canister. According to this configuration, it becomes possible to easily prevent an unstable motion of the canister due to a clearance gap defined between the canister and the vertical passageway during operation of the thruster.
  • a vertically movable thruster apparatus including a compact elevation device capable of moving a thruster vertically so that the thruster is raised to a position above the waterline even at an offshore operation site for inspection and repair.
  • a vertically movable thruster apparatus 20 includes a canister 21 adapted to move upward and downward in a vertical passageway 2 provided in a ship's hull 1, and a thruster 22 which projects downward from the lower side of the canister 21.
  • the vertical passageway 2 and the canister 21 are configured such that they have a rectangular cross section in planer view (see FIGS, 4 , 5 ).
  • the canister 21 contains therein a pivoting drive unit 23 for steering the thruster 22, a drive motor 25 for rotating a propeller 24, a steering pump unit 26 for supplying a drive oil to the steering drive unit 23 and a lubricating oil pump unit 27 for lubricating each component.
  • a pair of racks 31 are arranged, respectively, on two opposing outer surfaces of the canister 21.
  • tooth sections 32 are formed at a constant pitch in the vertical direction, and the racks 31 are arranged continuously in the vertical direction of the canister 21.
  • Diagrammatic representation of the tooth sections 32 located in the middle of the rack 31 is omitted in the figure.
  • Portions of the opposing racks 31, which project outward from the canister 21, are coupled to each other by a reinforcing member 31b.
  • the vertical passageway 2 along which the canister 21 moves upward and downward is provided with support guides 3 for supporting a horizontal load acting against the canister 21 during operation of the thruster 22, support and vertical-movement guides 4 for supporting a horizontal load acting against the canister 21 and for guiding the canister 21 during vertical movement of the canister 21 and vertical-movement guides 5 which serve as a guide during vertical movement of the canister 21.
  • the support guides 3 are disposed at the bottom, and the support and vertical-movement guides 4 are provided at two different vertical locations above the support guide 3.
  • the vertical-movement guide 5 is disposed in the upper portion of the vertical passageway 2, which lies above the canister 21 when the thruster 22 is in operation and which serves as a guide when the vertically movable thruster apparatus 20 is moving upward and downward.
  • a pair of elevation devices 30 Disposed between the canister 21 and the vertical passageway 2 of the ship's hull 1 are a pair of elevation devices 30 for moving the canister 21 upward and downward along the vertical passageway 2 so that the thruster 22 is moved upward and downward.
  • Each of the elevation devices 30 is provided with an elevation cylinder 33 which is disposed at the position of the rack 31 and which moves the canister 21 upward and downward via the rack 31.
  • the lower part of the elevation cylinder 33 is supported on the vertical passageway 2, while the upper part thereof is supported on the canister 21. How the elevation cylinder 33 is supported and how the canister 21 is moved upward and downward by the elevation device 30 will be described later.
  • the racks 31 are formed so as to have a required length extending in the vertical direction (see FIG. 1 ). Via the racks 31, the load of the vertically movable thruster apparatus 20 is supported on the ship's hull 1 by the elevation devices 30.
  • the racks 31 are arranged on the two opposing surfaces of the canister 21. However, the racks 31 may be arranged at positions in a diagonal relationship.
  • the canister 21 is guided by vertical-movement guides 5 which are disposed at four corners of the vertical passageway 2. Besides, in the present embodiment, there are disposed, in this lower position, load support structures (fixing sections) 9 for supporting the load of the elevation devices 30.
  • each of the support and vertical-movement guides 4 is comprised of a support guide section 4a for supporting a horizontal load acting against the canister 21 and a vertical-movement guide section 4b for guiding the canister 21 when the canister 21 is being moved upward and downward.
  • the vertical-movement guide section 4b is arranged at a corner so as to lie on an extension of each of the vertical-movement guides 5, while the support guide section 4a is disposed on the inner side thereof.
  • the canister 21 is provided, at its position against which the support guide section 4a abuts, with a pad 6 (see FIGS. 1 , 2 ).
  • a clearance gap defined between the support guide section 4a and the pad 6 is smaller, while a clearance gap defined between the vertical-movement guide section 4b and the canister 21 is made slightly greater.
  • a clearance gap T defined between the pad 6 and the support guide section 4a allows for vertical movement of the canister 21, but should be small enough to minimize horizontal movement of the canister 21 (for example, about several millimeters although it is represented in an exaggerated manner in the figure).
  • the canister 21 is supported horizontally by the support guides 3 arranged at four corners of the vertical passageway 2.
  • the support guides 3 are disposed so as to lie on downward extensions of the support guide sections 4a provided in the support and vertical-movement guides 4, respectively.
  • enclosing plates 7 that reduce the spacings S1, S2 defined between the periphery of the canister 21 and the vertical passageway 2 into a smaller spacing S3 as shown in FIG. 7 .
  • the enclosing plates 7 are provided such that the spacing around the canister 21 becomes a specified smaller spacing, i.e., the spacing S3.
  • the enclosing plates 7 are mounted in the support guides 3 located at the bottom and in the support and vertical-movement guides 4 on the lower side (see FIGS. 1 , 2 ).
  • the clearance gap T (see FIG. 6 ) is defined between the support guides 3 and the outer surface of the canister 21 and between the support guide sections 4a of the support and vertical-movement guides 4 and the outer surface of the canister 21. Because of this, during operation of the thruster 22, the canister 21 moves for a distance corresponding to the clearance gap T. In order to prevent such motion of the canister 21, jacks 8 may be provided near the level of the support guides 3 at the lower portion of the canister 21 in operation (see FIG. 1 ).
  • jacks 8 are provided, for example, in the positions of the support and vertical-movement guides 4 located above (these jacks are not shown), that is, two jacks 8 are provided on each surface, i.e., eight jacks 8 in total, are provided, it is possible to stably hold the canister 21.
  • each of the elevation devices 30 has a lower frame 34 for supporting, on the side of the vertical passageway 2, the lower part of the elevation cylinder 33, which lower frame is hereinafter referred to as the “HC (holding catch) frame 34", and an upper frame 35 which is disposed at the upper portion of the elevation cylinder 33 and which is moved upward and downward, which upper frame is hereinafter referred to as the "WC (working catch) frame 35".
  • This WC frame 35 is supported on the side of the canister 21.
  • each of the elevation cylinders 33 is connected to the HC frame 34 and to the WC frame 35 by pins 33a such that the elevation cylinder 33 is bendable around the pins 33a.
  • the HC frame 34 incorporates (is equipped with) a holding catch 36 (locking piece)36 (hereinafter referred to as the "HC" 36) which can be brought into fitting engagement with the tooth section 32 of the rack 31 (including fitting engagement with a gap), and there is disposed, in a direction counter to the rack 31, a holding catch drive cylinder 37 (hereinafter referred to as the "HC" cylinder 37) for moving the HC 36 horizontally.
  • a holding catch 36 locking piece
  • HC holding catch drive cylinder 37
  • the WC frame 35 incorporates (is equipped with) a working catch 38 (locking piece) 38 (hereinafter referred to as the "WC” 38), and there is disposed, in a direction counter to the rack 31, a working catch drive cylinder 39 (hereinafter referred to as the "WC" cylinder 39) for moving the WC 38 horizontally.
  • the HC cylinder 37 and the WC cylinder 39 are alternately independently driven and controlled as will be described below.
  • the elevation cylinders 33 are disposed across the rack 31 on both right and left sides.
  • the WC frames 35 provided at the upper portions of the elevation cylinders 33 are provided across the rack 31, while the WC frames 34 provided at the lower portions of the elevation cylinders 33 are provided across the rack 31.
  • the HC 36 and the WC 38 adapted to move backward and forward from each of the HC frames 34 and each of the WC frames 35 toward the rack 31 are formed of thick plates such that portions fittingly engaged with the tooth portions of the rack 31 are higher and portions at widthwise both ends which move along the HC frame 34 and the WC frame 35 are lower.
  • the WC 38 and the HC 36 are formed so as to have a thickness capable of supporting not only a load during vertical movement of the vertically movable thruster apparatus 20 but also a vertical load acting against the vertically movable thruster apparatus 20 during operation.
  • the HC 36 moves backward and forward along a guide section 34a provided in the HC frame 34, while the WC 38 moves backward and forward along a guide section 35a provided in the WC frame 35.
  • Fitting engagement and disengagement of the HC 36 with the rack 31 is achieved by the HC cylinder 37 disposed in the HC frame 34.
  • Fitting engagement and disengagement of the WC 38 with the rack 31 is achieved by the WC cylinder 39 disposed in the WC frame 35.
  • the HC frame 34 is firmly fastened to the load support structure 9 provided in the vertical passageway 2 on the side of the ship's hull 1 across the rack 31.
  • the firm fastening of the HC frame 34 to the load support structure 9 is provided by welding, or by pin joint mounting, bolt mounting or the like, to enable detachable mounting.
  • each of the HC frames 34 disposed across the rack 31 has guide section 34a for guidance of the HC 36, and fitting engagement and disengagement of the HC 36 with the rack 31 is accomplished by the HC cylinder 37 disposed in a direction counter to the rack 31.
  • the WC frames 35 are also disposed across the rack 31 in the same manner as the HC frames 34, with the exception that its right and left portions are formed integrally with each other (see FIG. 9 ).
  • the WC frame 35 is provided with a guide groove 41 that enables the WC frame 35 to move vertically along a guide member 40 disposed in a base section 31 a of the rack 31.
  • the guide members 40 are provided on both sides of the rack 31 so as to continuously extend in the vertical direction of the canister 21. Accordingly, it is configured such that the guide grooves 41 are guided by the guide members 40 provided in the canister 21 so that the WC frame 35 moves upward and downward.
  • the WC frames 35 are allowed to move upward and downward along the guide members 40 provided on both sides of the rack 31, the WC frames 35, with the WC 38 disengaged from the tooth sections 32 of the rack 31, can be moved upward and downward along the canister 21. Therefore, even if the cross-section of the canister 21 increases as the pivoting-type thruster 22 increases in size, there is no need to increase the size of the WC frames 35, thereby making it possible for the elevation devices 30 to easily address the increase in the size of the vertically movable thruster apparatus 20.
  • the following are shown, i.e., the state of a limit switch operable to check the fitting engagement and disengagement of the catches 36, 38, the switching (changeover) between lower and upper positions of the limit switch, the valve operation state of the elevation cylinder 33 for moving upward and downward the catches 36, 38 and other like state.
  • the catch that supports the load of the vertically movable thruster apparatus 20 is shown hatched with a diagonal pattern. Further, a horizontal line is drawn in a part of the rack 31 so as to provide a clear understanding of the vertical movement of the rack 31.
  • FIG. 12 comprised of (a) to (i), depicts one cycle of the upward movement, and with reference to this figure, one cycle that moves the vertically movable thruster apparatus 20 upward will be described below.
  • FIG. 12 there is depicted a state in which the vertically movable thruster apparatus 20 is supported by the HC 36 brought into fitting engagement with the tooth section 32 of the rack 31 by the HC cylinder 37 of the elevation device 30, and the description will start from this state.
  • the WC 38 is slightly moved upward (raised) by the elevation cylinder 33, whereby the load of the vertically movable thruster apparatus 20 is supported by the WC 38. This is followed by disengagement of the HC 36 from the tooth section 32 of the rack 31 (see (b) and (c) of FIG. 12 ).
  • the WC 38 is moved upward by the elevation cylinder 33, and while the HC 36 is pushed toward the rack 31 by the HC cylinder 37, the WC frame 35 is moved upward for one pitch distance of the rack 31. As a result of this, the HC 36 is brought into fitting engagement with the tooth section 32 located at one pitch lower position in the rack 31 (see (d) and (e) of FIG. 12 ).
  • the WC 38 is slightly moved downward by the elevation cylinder 33, whereby the load of the vertically movable thruster apparatus 20 is supported by the lower HC 36. This is followed by disengagement of the WC 38 from the tooth section 32 of the rack 31 (see (f) and (g) of FIG. 12 ).
  • the WC 38 is moved downward by the elevation cylinder 33, and while the WC 38 is pushed toward the rack 31 by the WC cylinder 39, the WC 38 is moved downward for one pitch distance of the rack 31. As a result of this, the WC 38 is brought into fitting engagement with the tooth section 32 located at one pitch lower position in the rack 31 (see (h) and (i) of FIG. 12 ).
  • the vertically movable thruster apparatus 20 thus moved upward for one pitch distance of the rack 31 is sequentially moved upward by repetition of the foregoing operation.
  • FIG. 13 comprised of (a) to (i), depicts one cycle of the downward movement, and with reference to this figure, one cycle that lowers the vertically movable thruster apparatus 20 will be described below.
  • FIG. 13 there is depicted a state in which the vertically movable thruster apparatus 20 is supported by the HC 36 brought into fitting engagement with the tooth section 32 of the rack 31 by the HC cylinder 37 of the elevation device 30, and the description will start from this state.
  • the WC 38 is slightly moved upward by the elevation cylinder 33, whereby the load of the vertically movable thruster apparatus 20 is supported by the WC 38. This is followed by disengagement of the HC 36 from the tooth section 32 of the rack 31 (see (b) and (c) of FIG. 13 ).
  • the WC 38 is moved downward by the elevation cylinder 33, and while the HC 36 is pushed toward the rack 31 by the HC cylinder 37, the WC frame 35 is moved downward for one pitch distance of the rack 31. As a result of this, the HC 36 is brought into fitting engagement with the tooth section 32 located at one pitch upper position in the rack 31 (see (d) and (e) of FIG. 13 ).
  • the elevation cylinder 33 is slightly moved downward so that the load of the vertically movable thruster apparatus 20 is supported by the HC 36. This is followed by disengagement of the WC 38 from the tooth section 32 of the rack 31 (see (f) and (g) of FIG. 13 ).
  • the WC 38 is moved upward by the elevation cylinder 33, and while the WC 38 is pushed toward the rack 31 by the WC cylinder 39, the WC frame 35 is moved upward for one pitch distance of the rack 31. As a result of this, the WC 38 is brought into fitting engagement with the tooth section 32 located at one pitch upper position in the rack 31 (see (h) and (i) of FIG. 13 ).
  • the vertically movable thruster apparatus 20 thus moved downward for one pitch distance of the rack 31 is sequentially moved downward by repetition of the foregoing operation.
  • FIG. 14 depicts one cycle of the upward movement, and with reference to this figure, one cycle that moves the vertically movable thruster apparatus 20 upward will be described below.
  • FIG. 14 there is depicted a state in which the vertically movable thruster apparatus 20 is supported by the HC 36 brought into fitting engagement with the tooth section 32 of the rack 31 by the HC cylinder 37 of the elevation device 30, and the description will start from this state.
  • the WC 38 is slightly moved downward by the elevation cylinder 33, whereby the load of the vertically movable thruster apparatus 20 is supported by the WC 38. This is followed by disengagement of the HC 36 from the tooth section 32 of the rack 31 (see (b) and (c) of FIG. 14 ).
  • the WC 38 is moved upward by the elevation cylinder 33, and while the HC 36 is pushed toward the rack 31 by the HC cylinder 37, the WC frame 35 is moved upward for one pitch distance of the rack 31. As a result of this, the HC 36 is brought into fitting engagement with the tooth section 32 located at one pitch lower position in the rack 31 (see (d) and (e) of FIG. 14 ).
  • the WC 38 is slightly moved upward by the elevation cylinder 33, whereby the load of the vertically movable thruster apparatus 20 is supported by the lower HC 36. This is followed by disengagement of the WC 38 from the tooth section 32 of the rack 31 (see (f) and (g) in FIG. 14 ).
  • the WC 38 is moved downward by the elevation cylinder 33, and while the WC 38 is pushed toward the rack 31 by the WC cylinder 39, the WC 38 is moved downward for one pitch distance of the rack 31. As a result of this, the WC 38 is brought into fitting engagement with the tooth section 32 located at one pitch lower position in the rack 31 (see (h) and (i) of FIG. 14 ).
  • the vertically movable thruster apparatus 20 thus moved upward for one pitch distance of the rack 31 is sequentially moved upward by repetition of the foregoing operation.
  • FIG. 15 comprised of (a) to (i), depicts one cycle of the downward movement, and with reference to this figure, one cycle that lowers the vertically movable thruster apparatus 20 will be described below.
  • FIG. 15 there is depicted a state in which the vertically movable thruster apparatus 20 is supported by the HC 36 brought into fitting engagement with the tooth section 32 of the rack 31 by the HC cylinder 37 of the elevation device 30, and the description will start from this state.
  • the WC 38 is slightly moved downward by the elevation cylinder 33, whereby the load of the vertically movable thruster apparatus 20 is supported by the WC 38. This is followed by disengagement of the HC 36 from the tooth section 32 of the rack 31 (see (b) and (c) of FIG. 15 ).
  • the WC 38 is moved downward by the elevation cylinder 33, and while the HC 36 is pushed toward the rack 31 by the HC cylinder 37, the WC frame 35 is moved downward for one pitch distance of the rack 31. As a result of this, the HC 36 is brought into fitting engagement with the tooth section 32 located at one pitch upper position in the rack 31 (see (d) and (e) of FIG. 15 ).
  • the WC 38 is slightly moved upward by the elevation cylinder 33 so that the load of the vertically movable thruster apparatus 20 is supported by the HC 36. This is followed by disengagement of the WC 38 from the tooth section 32 of the rack 31 (see (f) and (g) of FIG. 15 ).
  • the WC 38 is moved upward by the elevation cylinder 33, and while the WC 38 is pushed toward the rack 31 by the WC cylinder 39, the WC frame 35 is moved upward for one pitch distance of the rack 31. As a result of this, the WC 38 is brought into fitting engagement with the tooth section 32 located at one pitch upper position in the rack 31 (see (h) and (i) of FIG. 15 ).
  • the vertically movable thruster apparatus 20 thus moved downward for one pitch distance of the rack 31 is sequentially moved downward by repetition of the foregoing operation.
  • vertical (up-down) movement of the vertically movable thruster apparatus 20 by the elevation device 30 is accomplished employing a vertical movement technique that makes use of a so-called inchworm motion of short pitch.
  • FIG. 16A , 16B to FIG. 21A , 21B the operation of the vertically movable thruster apparatus which is vertically moved upward and downward by the above elevation device will be described.
  • FIG. 16A, 16B to FIG. 17A, 17B the operation of the vertically movable thruster apparatus 20 according to a first embodiment ( FIGS. 1 , 2 ) is illustrated.
  • FIG. 18A, 18B to FIG. 21A, 21B the operation of a vertically movable thruster apparatus 50 according to a second embodiment is illustrated.
  • the operation in the first embodiment and the operation in the second embodiment will be described.
  • the vertically movable thruster apparatus 20 is an example in which the racks 31 disposed on the side portions of the canister 21 project upward from the upper end of the canister 21.
  • the elevation devices 30 are fixed in a given position of the vertical passageway 2. The installation position of the elevation devices 30 is set such that the canister 21 can be moved upward to a position that allows for removal of the thruster 22 above the waterline W, as will be described later.
  • the thruster 22 having a height indicated by letter L in the figure and located in a position at which the thruster 22 projects downward from the ship's bottom 10 (i.e., in operative position), is moved upward by performing operation that causes the WCs 38 and the HCs 36 to alternately make fitting engagement and disengagement, as shown in (a) to (i) of FIG. 12 and (a) to (i) of FIG. 14 .
  • FIG. 16B shows a state in which the thruster 22 is in the stored position from the ship's bottom 10 (i.e., in navigating position).
  • the thruster 22 is moved upward to a position of the maintenance and inspection floor 11 situated in a predetermined position above the waterline W in the vertical passageway 2 (i.e., maintenance and inspection position), as shown in FIG. 17A .
  • the thruster 22 is detached from the canister 21 by workers at the maintenance and inspection floor 11 and then carried toward the maintenance and inspection floor 11.
  • FIG. 17A a position of the maintenance and inspection floor 11 situated in a predetermined position above the waterline W in the vertical passageway 2
  • the height from the ship's bottom 10 to the waterline W is indicated by letter A, and the maintenance and inspection floor 11 lies in a position higher than the waterline W by a height indicated by letter B.
  • a height space of the maintenance and inspection floor 11 is set so as to have a height of a working height C plus the height L of the thruster 22. Therefore, the amount of upward movement of the canister 21 is a height indicated by letter H.
  • the configuration for raising the thruster 22 above the waterline W is implemented by the compact elevation device 30.
  • the second embodiment in order that the HC frame 34 of each of the elevation devices 33 can also be moved upward and downward along the guide member 40 of the canister 21, its right and left portions are integral with each other and there is provided a guide groove 41, as in the WC frame 35 (see FIG. 11 ).
  • the height of the racks 31 mounted in the canister 21 is set such that, in the position where the thruster 22 is stored inside the vertical passageway 2 (in the navigating position), the racks 31 do not project upward beyond the level of the deck (the level of the ship's hull 1 shown in the figure). Therefore, the second embodiment will be available even when no structure that projects upward during sailing or other like activity is acceptable. Further, the second embodiment is also available even when the level of the upper deck is too low to mount the elevation device 30 in a predetermined height position, as in the first embodiment.
  • the racks 31 are disposed on the side portions of the canister 21 such that they extends up to the upper end of the canister 21.
  • the elevation devices 30 are firmly fixed in a predetermined position of the vertical passageway 2.
  • the install position of the elevation devices 30 may be changed, as will be described later.
  • FIG. 18A shows a state in which the thruster 22 is in the stored position (i.e., in the navigating position), that is, the thruster 22 is stored inside from the ship's bottom 10.
  • the vertically movable thruster apparatus 50 of the second embodiment in this state, there are no structures that project upward beyond the upper deck of the ship's hull 1.
  • the thruster 22 is moved upward close to the waterline W, as shown in FIG. 19A .
  • the load of the vertically movable thruster apparatus 50 is temporarily held by load holding devices 12, i.e., devices adapted to support the load of the vertically movable thruster apparatus 50 by fitting engagement of a structure similar to the catches 36 with the tooth sections 32 of the rack 31 in a position indicated by two-dot chain line in the figure, which are disposed in the vertical passageway 2.
  • the structure by which to firmly fasten the HC frames 34 of the elevation devices 30 to the ship's hull 1 are detached, thereby placing the elevation device 30 in a free state.
  • the elevation devices 30 are moved upward to a predetermined upper position along the rack 31, as shown in FIG. 19B .
  • This predetermined upper position is set such that the thruster 22 of the vertically movable thruster apparatus 50 can be moved upward to the position of the maintenance and inspection floor 11 provided above the waterline W, as will be described later.
  • each of the elevation devices 30 is moved downward for a given distance so that the HC frame 34 is firmly fastened to the load support structure 13.
  • the load of the vertically movable thruster apparatus 50 is supported by the load support structures 13 via the elevation devices 30.
  • the load holding devices 12 that are temporarily holding the load of the vertically movable thruster apparatus 50 are detached.
  • the thruster 22 is moved upward to the position of the maintenance and inspection floor 11 provided in a predetermined position in the vertical passageway 2, as shown in FIG. 21A .
  • workers or other like service persons detach the thruster 22 from the canister 21 on the maintenance and inspection floor 11 and then move it to the maintenance and inspection floor 11.
  • the configuration for raising the thruster 22 above the waterline W is implemented by the compact elevation devices 30.
  • the vertically movable thruster apparatus 50 of the second embodiment it is possible to eliminate structures that project upward for considerable distances.
  • the vertically movable thruster apparatus 20 (50) is configured such that a pair of racks 31, 31 having a required length are disposed to extend vertically in the canister 21, and a pair of elevation devices 30 are disposed in a required height position in the vertical passageway 2. Thereby, the thruster 22 of the vertically movable thruster apparatus 20 (50) is stably movable upward and downward between the operative position and the maintenance and inspection position.
  • the own weight of the vertically movable thruster apparatus 20 (50) is supported on the bore side having a larger area, thereby allowing for optimal design of the elevation cylinders 33.
  • the predetermined spacings S1 and S2 are defined between the thruster apparatus 20 (50) and the vertical passageway 2. This will give rise to substantial fluctuations in the waterline W due to the influence of ocean waves or the like in sea areas located away from the land. In such a case, there is the possibility that normal operations may be hindered due to fluctuations in the waterline W when moving the vertically movable thruster apparatus 20 (50) upward and downward as described above.
  • the vertically movable thruster apparatus 20 (50) is equipped, in the positional level of the lateral-load support guides 3, 4 in the operative position, with the enclosing plates 7 which reduce the spacings S1, S2 between the entire circumference of the canister 21 and the entire circumference of the vertical passageway 2 to the smaller spacing S3 ( FIG. 7 ) so as to effect the throttle effect thereof, as described above.
  • the enclosing plates 7 are arranged at the lowermost support guides 3 and at the support and vertical-movement guides 4 that are situated at the lower side as described above, whereby the water surface between the vertical passageway 2 and the canister 21 is prevented from fluctuating considerably in the vertical direction, due to ocean waves, etc..
  • This embodiment is preferable in that, by provision of the enclosing plates 7 in the lowermost portion of the canister 21 in the operative position and in the position level of the support and vertical-movement guides 4 thereabove, the movement of water is suppressed surely.
  • the relationship between the racks 31 and the catches 36, 38 may be as follows in consideration of ocean waves or the like as described above (see FIGS. 22 and 23 ).
  • the direction of a static vertical load acting against the vertically movable thruster apparatus 20 is determined by the relationship between the own weight of the vertically movable thruster apparatus 20 and the magnitude of buoyant force acting against the vertically movable thruster apparatus 20 in a state in which no dynamic load due to ocean waves is acting.
  • FIG. 22 illustrates a state which is static and in which state a positive downward load is acting against the vertically movable thruster apparatus 20. That is, FIG. 22 illustrates a load holding state in which: (thruster's own weight - buoyant force acing against thruster) > 0.
  • the WC 38 incorporated in the WC frames 35 is pulled toward the HC frames 34 by the elevation cylinder 33, whereby the WC 38 and the HC 36 incorporated in the HC frames 34 push the rack 31 in opposite directions.
  • the vertical movement of the canister 21 due to ocean waves during operation is suppressed.
  • FIG. 23 illustrates a state which is static and in which state a negative upward load is acting against the vertically movable thruster apparatus. That is, FIG. 23 illustrates a load holding state in which: (thruster's own weight - buoyant force acing against thruster) ⁇ 0.
  • the WC 38 incorporated in the WC frames 35 is pushed in the opposite direction relative to the HC frames 34 by the elevation cylinder 33, whereby the WC 38 and the HC 36 incorporated in the HC frames 34 pull the rack 31 in opposite directions.
  • the vertical movement of the canister 21 due to ocean waves during operation is suppressed.
  • FIGS. 22 , 23 only diagrammatic representation of an accumulator 45, a low pressure relief valve 46a, a high pressure relief valve 46b, a check valve 47 and a tank 48, which are all provided to maintain the state that, by each of the elevation cylinders 33, the HC 36 and the WC 38 push or pull the rack 31 in the vertical direction, is provided, and diagrammatic representation of a pump, a direction switching valve and so on is omitted.
  • the pressure in the accumulator 45 and the pressure in the low pressure relief valve 46a are set slightly higher than the pressure that allows each of the elevation cylinders 33 to move upward and downward the WC frame 35 in no load state.
  • the vertical static load acting against the canister 21 is held by the HCs 36 incorporated in the HC frames 34 which are firmly fastened to the vertical passageway 2.
  • This holding is effected by placing the HCs 36 and the WCs 38 which are disposed at upper and lower positions in the elevation devices 30 in a push and pull state so that the dynamic load due to ocean waves acting in a direction opposite to the direction of the static load is held by the catches 36, 38.
  • the vertical movement of the canister 21 due to ocean waves during operation is suppressed.
  • a pair of racks 31 are disposed in the middle portion in the width direction, of opposing two outer surfaces of the canister 21 respectively such that the racks 31 vertically extend and face each other.
  • the racks 31 may be disposed diagonally as long as they pass through the horizontal cross-sectional center point of the canister 21.
  • two pairs of racks 31 may be provided, instead of one pair. That is, the racks 31 are not limited to those of the above embodiments.
  • the tooth sections 32 have a substantially rectangular shape.
  • the tooth sections 32 may be formed into any shape as long as they have a convexoconcave shape of constant pitch so that, by fitting engagement with the catches 36, 38, the vertically movable thruster apparatus 20 (50) can be held.
  • the tooth sections 32 may be formed into a fitting engagement hole shape of constant pitch. That is, the shape of the tooth sections 32 is not limited to the shapes in the above embodiments.
  • the vertically movable thruster apparatus according to the present invention can be used in, for example, drill ships or the like that require that, at the time of occurrence of failure or the like, the thruster be moved upward to a position above the waterline for inspection and repair.

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  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Ocean & Marine Engineering (AREA)
  • Types And Forms Of Lifts (AREA)
  • Forklifts And Lifting Vehicles (AREA)
  • Load-Engaging Elements For Cranes (AREA)
  • Conveying And Assembling Of Building Elements In Situ (AREA)
  • Warehouses Or Storage Devices (AREA)
  • Cage And Drive Apparatuses For Elevators (AREA)
EP12764722.0A 2011-03-29 2012-03-27 Hebetriebwerkvorrichtung Withdrawn EP2692630A4 (de)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
JP2011072206A JP5119346B2 (ja) 2011-03-29 2011-03-29 昇降式スラスタ装置
PCT/JP2012/002101 WO2012132400A1 (ja) 2011-03-29 2012-03-27 昇降式スラスタ装置

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EP2692630A1 true EP2692630A1 (de) 2014-02-05
EP2692630A4 EP2692630A4 (de) 2015-01-21

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EP (1) EP2692630A4 (de)
JP (1) JP5119346B2 (de)
KR (1) KR101531780B1 (de)
CN (1) CN103429491B (de)
BR (1) BR112013024864A2 (de)
WO (1) WO2012132400A1 (de)

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US9834289B2 (en) 2013-03-29 2017-12-05 Samsung Heavy Ind. Co., Ltd. Canister type thruster and installation method thereof
KR101487678B1 (ko) * 2013-05-16 2015-01-30 삼성중공업 주식회사 캐니스터식 스러스터
KR101487670B1 (ko) * 2013-05-16 2015-01-29 삼성중공업 주식회사 캐니스터식 스러스터
KR101523745B1 (ko) * 2013-08-23 2015-06-01 삼성중공업 주식회사 스러스터가 장착된 선박
CN104590520A (zh) * 2014-12-19 2015-05-06 福建东南造船有限公司 可伸缩侧推装置底封板
CN104648647A (zh) * 2015-03-06 2015-05-27 管立树 一种可升降的船舶辅助转向装置
KR102504711B1 (ko) * 2016-03-23 2023-02-28 대우조선해양 주식회사 해양플랜트용 스러스터 리커버리의 하강운전 제어장치 및 제어방법
US9758220B1 (en) * 2016-04-12 2017-09-12 Jackson Kayak, Inc. Watercraft having retractable drive mechanism
KR102396228B1 (ko) * 2018-01-17 2022-05-09 바르트실라 네덜란드 비.브이. 해양 선박을 위한 선내 분리 가능한 접이식 스러스터 및 해양 선박
CN113120205B (zh) * 2021-04-23 2022-09-02 中船黄埔文冲船舶有限公司 船艏辅推装置的升降控制系统

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KR20130130052A (ko) 2013-11-29
WO2012132400A1 (ja) 2012-10-04
CN103429491B (zh) 2016-03-16
KR101531780B1 (ko) 2015-06-25
BR112013024864A2 (pt) 2016-12-20
JP5119346B2 (ja) 2013-01-16
JP2012206556A (ja) 2012-10-25
CN103429491A (zh) 2013-12-04
EP2692630A4 (de) 2015-01-21

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