EP2794999A1 - Dumping vessel - Google Patents

Dumping vessel

Info

Publication number
EP2794999A1
EP2794999A1 EP12794561.6A EP12794561A EP2794999A1 EP 2794999 A1 EP2794999 A1 EP 2794999A1 EP 12794561 A EP12794561 A EP 12794561A EP 2794999 A1 EP2794999 A1 EP 2794999A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
hoisting cable
claw
fall pipe
dumping
hoisting
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.)
Granted
Application number
EP12794561.6A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP2794999B1 (en
Inventor
Ferry VAN DER HULST
Joost WIJNANDS
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.)
Baggermaatschappij Boskalis BV
Original Assignee
Baggermaatschappij Boskalis BV
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 Baggermaatschappij Boskalis BV filed Critical Baggermaatschappij Boskalis BV
Publication of EP2794999A1 publication Critical patent/EP2794999A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP2794999B1 publication Critical patent/EP2794999B1/en
Active legal-status Critical Current
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical

Links

Classifications

    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E02—HYDRAULIC ENGINEERING; FOUNDATIONS; SOIL SHIFTING
    • E02D—FOUNDATIONS; EXCAVATIONS; EMBANKMENTS; UNDERGROUND OR UNDERWATER STRUCTURES
    • E02D15/00—Handling building or like materials for hydraulic engineering or foundations
    • E02D15/10—Placing gravel or light material under water inasmuch as not provided for elsewhere

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a dumping vessel for dumping sand, stones or rocks onto the bottom of a deep sea .
  • a known dumping vessel comprises a floating hull and a fall pipe pending downwards towards the bottom of the sea, wherein the fall pipe comprises multiple fall pipe sections that are coupled to each other.
  • the lowest fall pipe section hangs on two hoisting cables and the other fall pipe sections are coupled with the two hoisting cables by means of closures.
  • the closures comprise a hook that is formed like a scythe. This has the disadvantage that can not easily be opened and closed when the fall pipe sections are uncoupled or coupled.
  • the invention provides a dumping vessel for dumping sinking particles like sand, blocks, rocks or stones onto the bottom of a lake or sea, comprising a floating hull and a fall pipe pending downwards towards the bottom, wherein the fall pipe comprises a lower dumping section, at least two hoisting cables that connect the dumping section with the hull, and a series of fall pipe sections between the hoisting cables that are stacked onto each other on the dumping section, wherein multiple fall pipe sections each comprise a tube and an upper connector and a lower connector at the ends of the tube, wherein the upper connector and the lower connector of subsequent fall pipe sections engage each other, wherein these fall pipe sections comprise at the upper connector a closure for confinement of one of the hoisting cables, wherein the closure comprises a holder having a hoisting cable passage that is directed to receive the hoisting cable in a radial direction with respect to the centre line of the fall pipe section, and a claw with a hoisting cable confinement opening that can hinge with respect to the closure
  • the claw hinges around the hinge axis that is offset from the notional line through the centre line of the fall pipe section and the centre of the confined hoisting cable, which is the direction in which the hoisting cable is received. In this manner the claw can at least partly be operated by exerting a force with the hoisting cable. This enables easily opening and closing of the closure.
  • the closure comprises a biased spring between the claw and the holder that keeps the claw stably in its open position, wherein the claw hinges to its closed position after exceeding a threshold force against the claw.
  • the claw of the next fall pipe section to be installed can be set ready to receive the hoisting cable before its actual installation. This enables the fall pipe sections to be installed quickly.
  • the spring also keeps the claw stably in its closed position, wherein the spring is firstly further tensioned when the claw is pushed from its open position to its closed position.
  • the hinge axis is around the centre line of the fall pipe section tangentially offset with respect to the centre of the confined hoisting cable.
  • the hinge axis is located fully outside the notional line.
  • the claw comprises an engagement surface that forms part of the confinement opening of the claw, wherein the engagement surface is positioned to engage the received hoisting cable and the claw hinges along with the received hoisting cable.
  • the closed position of the claw can be secured when the closure comprises a lock that locks the closed position of the claw, wherein the lock is preferably biased towards its locking position to lock automatically after pushing the claw into its closed position via the hoisting cable.
  • the closure comprises an abutment surface that is operatively connected with the lock, wherein the lock unlocks when a pressure force is exerted on the abutment surface.
  • the pressure force can be exercised on the moment that the closure needs to be released, for example only during unstacking of the uppermost fall pipe section that is at deck level.
  • the lock unlocks by displacement of the abutment surface in a direction substantially parallel to centre line, wherein the lock preferably unlocks by displacement of the abutment surface in the direction of the lower connector.
  • the closure can then be released by pushing down the push plate, by means of a distal face at the end of a piston rod of an hydraulic cylinder for example.
  • the abutment surface forms part of a push plate that is slidaby connected with the holder.
  • the upper connector comprises a support flange that is provided with recessed hoisting cable passages that are open from the outer edge of the flange to accommodate the hoisting cables, wherein the claw of the closure is positioned below such hoisting cable passage .
  • the abutment surface extends above the support flange, whereby it can be hit by a downwardly directed strike or push, such as from said distal face at the end of a piston rod of an hydraulic cylinder .
  • the claw extends in a projection parallel to the centre line of the fall pipe section both in its open and closed position fully within the outer circumference of the support flange.
  • the flange can protect the claw from impacts from aside.
  • the closure comprises a housing with the hoisting cable passage, wherein the claw is hingably incorporated in the housing.
  • the housing with the claw can then be mounted as one unity.
  • the invention provides a method for lowering or hauling in a fall pipe of a dumping vessel, wherein the dumping vessel is adapted for dumping sinking particles like sand, blocks, rocks or stones onto the bottom of a lake or sea, wherein the dumping vessel comprises a floating hull and a fall pipe pending downwards towards the bottom, wherein the fall pipe comprises a lower dumping section, at least two hoisting cables that connect the dumping section with the hull, and a series of fall pipe sections between the hoisting cables that are stacked onto each other on the dumping section, wherein multiple fall pipe sections each comprise a tube and an upper connector and a lower connector at the ends of the tube, wherein the upper connector and the lower connector of subsequent fall pipe sections engage each other, wherein these fall pipe sections comprise at the upper connector a closure for confinement of one of the hoisting cables, wherein the closure comprises a holder having a hoisting cable passage that is directed to receive the hoisting cable in a radial direction with respect
  • the closure may comprise a lock that locks the closed position of the claw, wherein in particular for hauling in the fall pipe the method may comprise pulling at the hoisting cable in the direction out of the hoisting cable passage when the claw is in its closed position, and subsequently unlocking the lock whereby the claw is hinged towards its open position by the biased hoisting cable.
  • the closure comprises an abutment surface that is operatively connected with the lock, wherein the lock unlocks by displacement of the abutment surface, wherein the method comprises pushing down the abutment surface when the hoisting cable is pulled in the direction out of the cable passage.
  • the displacement of the abutment surface can be executed by a remote controlled pusher, such as by a distal face at the end of a piston rod of a hydraulic cylinder.
  • the abutment surface is moved in the direction of the lower connector in a direction substantially parallel to centre line, which is in the direction opposite the hauling in direction.
  • the closure can then be unlocked by causing the abutment surface of the uppermost fall pipe section that is hauled in to be hit by a tool on deck, such as abovementioned distal face or a stationary abutment tool.
  • Figure 1 schematically shows a dumping vessel that is provided with a fall pipe having multiple stacked fall pipe sections with closures according to an embodiment of the invention
  • Figure 2A an isometric view of two subsequent fall pipe sections before unstacking of the uppermost fall pipe section, with a closure in its closed condition;
  • Figure 2B the lower of the two subsequent fall pipe sections during unstacking of the uppermost fall pipe section, with the closure still in its closed condition;
  • Figure 2C the lower of the two subsequent fall pipe sections during unstacking of the uppermost fall pipe section, with the closure in its opened condition
  • Figures 3A-3D in isometric view, a top view, a side view and a bottom view of the closure in its closed condition as shown in figures 2A and 2B;
  • Figure 3E a bottom view of the closure in its opened condition as shown in figure 2C.
  • FIG. 1 schematically shows a dumping vessel 1 according to an embodiment of the invention for dumping sinking particles like sand, blocks, rocks or stones 9 onto the bottom 8 of a lake or sea 7 having a depth A that is typically more than 100 meter, preferably more than 1000 meter.
  • the vessel 1 comprises a floating hull 2 having a moonpool 6 and two hoisting gallows 10 each having a sheave 11 and a downwardly directed hydraulic release cylinder 13 at both sides of the moonpool 6.
  • the hoisting gallows 10 can each swivel in direction B around a transverse axis of the hull 2 to position the sheaves 11 above the moonpool 6.
  • the vessel 1 is provided with two winches 12 each having a hoisting cable 15 that run via the sheaves 11 through the moonpool 6 towards the bottom 8 of the deep sea 7.
  • the vessel 1 is furthermore provided with a pipe handling crane 3 on deck.
  • the dumping vessel 1 is configured to dump the particles like the stones 9 or sand or stones onto the bottom 8 of the sea 7 with high accuracy, for example to locally cover or embed a deep sea oil pipe or an electricity line, or to build a traverse onto the sea bottom 8 in order to support crossing oil pipes.
  • the dumping vessel 1 is therefore provided with a fall pipe 20 that is suspended from the hull 2.
  • the fall pipe 20 comprises a lower dumping section 21 and a series of identical fall pipe sections 31- 38 that are stacked on the dumping section 21.
  • the dumping section 21 comprises a vertically extending hollow tube 22 for passing the stones 9 and two couplings 23 that are connected to the lowered ends of the hoisting cables 15.
  • the dumping section 21 can under water be engaged by a remotely operated vehicle that is known per se and therefore not shown.
  • the remotely operated vehicle is controlled from the deck, and is provided with multiple sideward oriented thrusters in order to move the suspended dumping section 21 in horizontal orthogonal directions E. In this manner the dumping section 21 is accurately positioned above the sea bottom 9.
  • the fall pipe sections 31-38 have a length of about 8 meters and an inner diameter of 0,70 meters or more.
  • Figure 2A isometrically shows by way of example only the first fall pipe section 31 that extends through the moonpool 6 and the identical second fall pipe section 32 below the moonpool 6 as indicated in figure 1.
  • the second fall pipe section 32 comprises a steel upper connector 40 and a steel lower connector 42 that are both joined with a straight, circle cylindrical tube 70.
  • the pipe sections 31-38 have a centre line S.
  • the upper connector 40 is shown in more detail in figures 2B and 2C.
  • the upper connector 40 comprises a supporting flange 50 and an inner circumferential wall 51 and two outer circumferential wall sections 52 that are welded onto the supporting flange 50 at a fixed distance to each other to form an annular confinement channel 53.
  • a resilient seal 58 has been provided in the confinement channel 53 .
  • the support flange 50 comprises two hoisting cable passages 54 at opposite sides that are accessible from outside. against the lower side of the support flange 50 two steel closures 90 have been mounted at the hoisting cable passages 54.
  • the fall pipe section 32 is hoisted on deck by means of a dedicated adapter 5 on the hoist cable 4 of the pipe handling crane 3.
  • the lower connector 60 comprises a supporting flange 66 with two hoisting cable passages 77, and an inner circumferential wall and two higher outer circumferential wall sections 68 that are welded on the supporting flange 66 at a fixed distance to each other to fit narrow into the confinement channel 53 of the upper connector 40.
  • the closure 90 comprises a housing 91 having an elongated upper wall 92, and in series an first side wall 93, a back wall 94 and a second side wall 95 pending downwards from the upper wall 92, and a bottom wall 96 that extends inwards from the back wall 94.
  • the back wall 94 is curved in conformity with the outer surface of the tube 70.
  • the upper wall 92 comprises a hoisting cable passage 97 that is accessible from outside. Two mounting screws 98 extends upwards from the upper wall 92.
  • the hoisting cable passage 97 is vertically aligned with the hoisting cable passage 54 of the support flange 50, wherein the mounting screws 98 extend through two mounting holes 56 in the support flange 50 to secure the closure 90 with two nuts 99.
  • the closure 90 comprises a hinge pin 110 that extends through the upper wall 92 and the bottom wall 96 at some distance from the back wall 94.
  • the closure 90 comprises a claw 116 that can swing around the hinge pin 110.
  • the claw 116 comprises a straight back face 120, and a finger 117 and a lever 119 that together define a hoisting cable confinement opening 118, wherein the lever 119 is located closer to the back wall 94 than the finger 117.
  • the claw 116 is formed such that in a vertical projection parallel to the centre line S the finger 117 and the hoisting cable passage 97 together fully confine the hoisting cable 15 when the extremity of the lever 119 is in contact with the back wall 94 as shown in figures 3A-3D. This is the closed position of the claw 116.
  • the closure 90 comprises a mounting pin 123 at the extremity the lever 119 and a mounting pin 122 under the second side wall 95.
  • a biased tensioning spring 121 extends between the mounting pins 122, 123 to keep the extremity of the lever 119 in contact with the back wall 94.
  • the aligned hoisting cable passages 77, 97 of the supporting flange 50 and the closures 90 are configured to receive the hoisting cables 15 according to a path H of the centre line of the hoisting cable 15 that is directed radially with respect to the centre line S of the second fall pipe section 32.
  • the rotation axis J of the claw 116 as provided by the hinge pin 110 is positioned offset from this path H in tangential direction with respect to the centre line S of the second fall pipe section 32.
  • the closure 60 furthermore comprises a locking body 130 that is mounted to a slide shaft 131.
  • the slide shaft 131 extends through an opening 100 in the upper wall 92.
  • the locking body 130 comprises a front face 135 and a back face 134, wherein the locking body 130 fits inside the housing 91 such that in the closed position of the claw 116 as shown in figures 3A-3D the back face 134 is in contact with the second side wall 95 and the front face 135 is in abutment with or at a negligible distance from the back face 120 of the claw 116. In this manner the closed position of the claw 116 is locked.
  • a push spring 133 has been provided, which is kept confined and biased by a push plate 132 that is connected to the end of the slide shaft 131.
  • the push spring 133 keeps the locking body 130 in its locking position, in abutment with the upper wall 92.
  • the slide shaft 131 extends though a hole 57 in the supporting flange 50, wherein the push plate 131 extends freely above the supporting flange 50, but still below the top of the inner circumferential wall 51.
  • a downwardly directed pressure force that is exerted on the push plate 132 will move down the slide shaft 131 with the locking body 130 in direction G that extends parallel to the centre line S of the second fall pipe section 32.
  • This downwardly directed pressure force acts against the spring force of the pressure spring 133.
  • the locking body 130 can move downward over a limited distance which is enough to bring it fully below the claw 116 but to keep it still inside the housing 91. This is shown in figure 4E. In this position the claw 116 can be rotated in direction F to its open position, wherein some force is needed to let the tensioning spring 121 pass the axis J of the hinge pin 110. After this passage the tensioning spring 121 keeps the claw 116 stably in its opened position.
  • the downwardly directed pressure force on the push plate 132 can be omitted to keep the locking body 130 from below into abutment with the back side of the claw 116 that is now situated under the locking body 130.
  • This abutment is maintained by the biased pressure spring 133.
  • the lower connector 60 receives the hoisting cables 15 in the hoisting cable passages 77, whereby the lower connector 40 is guided to the upper connector 60 of the second fall pipe section 32 to be connected as shown in figure 2A.
  • the hoisting cables 15 are subsequently brought into the hoisting passages 54 of the upper connector 40 with the closures 60 in their open position. This triggers the closures 60 to close and lock the claw 116 as was already shown in figure 2B for the second fall pipe section 32.
  • the fall pipe sections 31-38 are unstacked by the pipe handling crane 3 from above the deck.
  • the two hoisting gallows 10 are spread in direction B to urge the hoisting cables 15 out of the closures 90.
  • the downwardly directed hydraulic release cylinders 13 are activated to hit and push down the push plates 132, whereby the claws 116 slap open and the hoisting cables 15 are released as shown in figure 2C.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Structural Engineering (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • General Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Mining & Mineral Resources (AREA)
  • Paleontology (AREA)
  • Civil Engineering (AREA)
  • Load-Engaging Elements For Cranes (AREA)

Abstract

Dumping vessel for dumping sinking particles like sand, blocks, rocks or stones onto the bottom of a lake or sea, comprising a floating hull and a fall pipe pending downwards towards the bottom, wherein the fall pipe comprises a lower dumping section, at least two hoisting cables that connect the dumping section with the hull, and a series of fall pipe sections between the hoisting cables that are stacked onto each other on the dumping section, wherein multiple fall pipe sections each comprise a tube and an upper connector and a lower connector at the ends of the tube, wherein the upper connector and the lower connector of subsequent fall pipe sections engage each other, wherein these fall pipe sections comprise at the upper connector a closure for confinement of one of the hoisting cables.

Description

Dumping vessel
BACKGROUND
The invention relates to a dumping vessel for dumping sand, stones or rocks onto the bottom of a deep sea .
A known dumping vessel comprises a floating hull and a fall pipe pending downwards towards the bottom of the sea, wherein the fall pipe comprises multiple fall pipe sections that are coupled to each other. The lowest fall pipe section hangs on two hoisting cables and the other fall pipe sections are coupled with the two hoisting cables by means of closures. The closures comprise a hook that is formed like a scythe. This has the disadvantage that can not easily be opened and closed when the fall pipe sections are uncoupled or coupled.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a dumping vessel having fall pipe sections that can easily be opened and closed.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to one aspect the invention provides a dumping vessel for dumping sinking particles like sand, blocks, rocks or stones onto the bottom of a lake or sea, comprising a floating hull and a fall pipe pending downwards towards the bottom, wherein the fall pipe comprises a lower dumping section, at least two hoisting cables that connect the dumping section with the hull, and a series of fall pipe sections between the hoisting cables that are stacked onto each other on the dumping section, wherein multiple fall pipe sections each comprise a tube and an upper connector and a lower connector at the ends of the tube, wherein the upper connector and the lower connector of subsequent fall pipe sections engage each other, wherein these fall pipe sections comprise at the upper connector a closure for confinement of one of the hoisting cables, wherein the closure comprises a holder having a hoisting cable passage that is directed to receive the hoisting cable in a radial direction with respect to the centre line of the fall pipe section, and a claw with a hoisting cable confinement opening that can hinge with respect to the holder around a hinge axis between an open position to receive the hoisting cable from outside into the hoisting cable passage and a closed position in which the hoisting cable is received in both the hoisting cable passage and the hoisting cable confinement opening and thereby confined by the claw in the hoisting cable passage, wherein the hoisting cable confinement opening is located at a distance from the hinge axis, wherein the hinge axis extends substantially parallel to the centre line of the fall pipe section and wherein the hinge axis is offset with respect to a notional line through the centre line of the fall pipe section and the centre of the confined hoisting cable .
The claw hinges around the hinge axis that is offset from the notional line through the centre line of the fall pipe section and the centre of the confined hoisting cable, which is the direction in which the hoisting cable is received. In this manner the claw can at least partly be operated by exerting a force with the hoisting cable. This enables easily opening and closing of the closure.
In an embodiment the closure comprises a biased spring between the claw and the holder that keeps the claw stably in its open position, wherein the claw hinges to its closed position after exceeding a threshold force against the claw. The claw of the next fall pipe section to be installed can be set ready to receive the hoisting cable before its actual installation. This enables the fall pipe sections to be installed quickly.
In an embodiment thereof the spring also keeps the claw stably in its closed position, wherein the spring is firstly further tensioned when the claw is pushed from its open position to its closed position.
In an embodiment the hinge axis is around the centre line of the fall pipe section tangentially offset with respect to the centre of the confined hoisting cable.
In an embodiment the hinge axis is located fully outside the notional line.
In an embodiment the claw comprises an engagement surface that forms part of the confinement opening of the claw, wherein the engagement surface is positioned to engage the received hoisting cable and the claw hinges along with the received hoisting cable.
The closed position of the claw can be secured when the closure comprises a lock that locks the closed position of the claw, wherein the lock is preferably biased towards its locking position to lock automatically after pushing the claw into its closed position via the hoisting cable.
In an embodiment the closure comprises an abutment surface that is operatively connected with the lock, wherein the lock unlocks when a pressure force is exerted on the abutment surface. The pressure force can be exercised on the moment that the closure needs to be released, for example only during unstacking of the uppermost fall pipe section that is at deck level. In an embodiment thereof the lock unlocks by displacement of the abutment surface in a direction substantially parallel to centre line, wherein the lock preferably unlocks by displacement of the abutment surface in the direction of the lower connector. The closure can then be released by pushing down the push plate, by means of a distal face at the end of a piston rod of an hydraulic cylinder for example.
In an embodiment the abutment surface forms part of a push plate that is slidaby connected with the holder.
In an embodiment the upper connector comprises a support flange that is provided with recessed hoisting cable passages that are open from the outer edge of the flange to accommodate the hoisting cables, wherein the claw of the closure is positioned below such hoisting cable passage .
In an embodiment the abutment surface extends above the support flange, whereby it can be hit by a downwardly directed strike or push, such as from said distal face at the end of a piston rod of an hydraulic cylinder .
In an embodiment the claw extends in a projection parallel to the centre line of the fall pipe section both in its open and closed position fully within the outer circumference of the support flange. The flange can protect the claw from impacts from aside.
In an embodiment the closure comprises a housing with the hoisting cable passage, wherein the claw is hingably incorporated in the housing. The housing with the claw can then be mounted as one unity.
According to a further aspect the invention provides a method for lowering or hauling in a fall pipe of a dumping vessel, wherein the dumping vessel is adapted for dumping sinking particles like sand, blocks, rocks or stones onto the bottom of a lake or sea, wherein the dumping vessel comprises a floating hull and a fall pipe pending downwards towards the bottom, wherein the fall pipe comprises a lower dumping section, at least two hoisting cables that connect the dumping section with the hull, and a series of fall pipe sections between the hoisting cables that are stacked onto each other on the dumping section, wherein multiple fall pipe sections each comprise a tube and an upper connector and a lower connector at the ends of the tube, wherein the upper connector and the lower connector of subsequent fall pipe sections engage each other, wherein these fall pipe sections comprise at the upper connector a closure for confinement of one of the hoisting cables, wherein the closure comprises a holder having a hoisting cable passage that is directed to receive the hoisting cable in a radial direction with respect to the centre line of the fall pipe section, and a claw with a hoisting cable confinement opening that can hinge with respect to the holder around a hinge axis between an open position to receive the hoisting cable from outside into the hoisting cable passage and a closed position in which the hoisting cable is received in both the hoisting cable passage and the hoisting cable confinement opening and thereby confined by the claw in the hoisting cable passage, wherein the method comprises pushing the hoisting cable into the cable passage or pulling the hoisting cable out of the hoisting cable passage in a substantially radial direction, wherein the claw comes into contact with the hoisting cable and is moved with it to hinge towards its closed position or its open position. The claw is hinged towards its closed position or its open position by a specific movement of the hoisting cable itself, which can be performed by means of a gallow on the deck from which the hoisting cable is suspended.
In an embodiment the closure may comprise a lock that locks the closed position of the claw, wherein in particular for hauling in the fall pipe the method may comprise pulling at the hoisting cable in the direction out of the hoisting cable passage when the claw is in its closed position, and subsequently unlocking the lock whereby the claw is hinged towards its open position by the biased hoisting cable.
In an embodiment thereof the closure comprises an abutment surface that is operatively connected with the lock, wherein the lock unlocks by displacement of the abutment surface, wherein the method comprises pushing down the abutment surface when the hoisting cable is pulled in the direction out of the cable passage. The displacement of the abutment surface can be executed by a remote controlled pusher, such as by a distal face at the end of a piston rod of a hydraulic cylinder.
In an embodiment thereof the abutment surface is moved in the direction of the lower connector in a direction substantially parallel to centre line, which is in the direction opposite the hauling in direction. The closure can then be unlocked by causing the abutment surface of the uppermost fall pipe section that is hauled in to be hit by a tool on deck, such as abovementioned distal face or a stationary abutment tool.
The various aspects and features described and shown in the specification can be applied, individually, wherever possible. These individual aspects, in particular the aspects and features described in the attached dependent claims, can be made subject of divisional patent applications .
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The invention will be elucidated on the basis of an exemplary embodiment shown in the attached drawings, in which :
Figure 1 schematically shows a dumping vessel that is provided with a fall pipe having multiple stacked fall pipe sections with closures according to an embodiment of the invention;
Figure 2A an isometric view of two subsequent fall pipe sections before unstacking of the uppermost fall pipe section, with a closure in its closed condition;
Figure 2B the lower of the two subsequent fall pipe sections during unstacking of the uppermost fall pipe section, with the closure still in its closed condition;
Figure 2C the lower of the two subsequent fall pipe sections during unstacking of the uppermost fall pipe section, with the closure in its opened condition;
Figures 3A-3D in isometric view, a top view, a side view and a bottom view of the closure in its closed condition as shown in figures 2A and 2B; and
Figure 3E a bottom view of the closure in its opened condition as shown in figure 2C.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Figure 1 schematically shows a dumping vessel 1 according to an embodiment of the invention for dumping sinking particles like sand, blocks, rocks or stones 9 onto the bottom 8 of a lake or sea 7 having a depth A that is typically more than 100 meter, preferably more than 1000 meter. The vessel 1 comprises a floating hull 2 having a moonpool 6 and two hoisting gallows 10 each having a sheave 11 and a downwardly directed hydraulic release cylinder 13 at both sides of the moonpool 6. The hoisting gallows 10 can each swivel in direction B around a transverse axis of the hull 2 to position the sheaves 11 above the moonpool 6. The vessel 1 is provided with two winches 12 each having a hoisting cable 15 that run via the sheaves 11 through the moonpool 6 towards the bottom 8 of the deep sea 7. The vessel 1 is furthermore provided with a pipe handling crane 3 on deck.
The dumping vessel 1 is configured to dump the particles like the stones 9 or sand or stones onto the bottom 8 of the sea 7 with high accuracy, for example to locally cover or embed a deep sea oil pipe or an electricity line, or to build a traverse onto the sea bottom 8 in order to support crossing oil pipes. The dumping vessel 1 is therefore provided with a fall pipe 20 that is suspended from the hull 2.
The fall pipe 20 comprises a lower dumping section 21 and a series of identical fall pipe sections 31- 38 that are stacked on the dumping section 21. The dumping section 21 comprises a vertically extending hollow tube 22 for passing the stones 9 and two couplings 23 that are connected to the lowered ends of the hoisting cables 15. The dumping section 21 can under water be engaged by a remotely operated vehicle that is known per se and therefore not shown. The remotely operated vehicle is controlled from the deck, and is provided with multiple sideward oriented thrusters in order to move the suspended dumping section 21 in horizontal orthogonal directions E. In this manner the dumping section 21 is accurately positioned above the sea bottom 9. The fall pipe sections 31-38 have a length of about 8 meters and an inner diameter of 0,70 meters or more.
Figure 2A isometrically shows by way of example only the first fall pipe section 31 that extends through the moonpool 6 and the identical second fall pipe section 32 below the moonpool 6 as indicated in figure 1. The second fall pipe section 32 comprises a steel upper connector 40 and a steel lower connector 42 that are both joined with a straight, circle cylindrical tube 70. The pipe sections 31-38 have a centre line S.
The upper connector 40 is shown in more detail in figures 2B and 2C. The upper connector 40 comprises a supporting flange 50 and an inner circumferential wall 51 and two outer circumferential wall sections 52 that are welded onto the supporting flange 50 at a fixed distance to each other to form an annular confinement channel 53. In the confinement channel 53 a resilient seal 58 has been provided. The support flange 50 comprises two hoisting cable passages 54 at opposite sides that are accessible from outside. Against the lower side of the support flange 50 two steel closures 90 have been mounted at the hoisting cable passages 54. The fall pipe section 32 is hoisted on deck by means of a dedicated adapter 5 on the hoist cable 4 of the pipe handling crane 3.
As shown in figure 2A, the lower connector 60 comprises a supporting flange 66 with two hoisting cable passages 77, and an inner circumferential wall and two higher outer circumferential wall sections 68 that are welded on the supporting flange 66 at a fixed distance to each other to fit narrow into the confinement channel 53 of the upper connector 40.
One of the two identical closures 90 as shown in figures 2A-2C has been shown in detail in figures 3A-3E. The closure 90 comprises a housing 91 having an elongated upper wall 92, and in series an first side wall 93, a back wall 94 and a second side wall 95 pending downwards from the upper wall 92, and a bottom wall 96 that extends inwards from the back wall 94. The back wall 94 is curved in conformity with the outer surface of the tube 70. The upper wall 92 comprises a hoisting cable passage 97 that is accessible from outside. Two mounting screws 98 extends upwards from the upper wall 92. In the mounted condition of the closure 90 as shown in figures 2A-2C, the hoisting cable passage 97 is vertically aligned with the hoisting cable passage 54 of the support flange 50, wherein the mounting screws 98 extend through two mounting holes 56 in the support flange 50 to secure the closure 90 with two nuts 99. As shown in figures 3C and 3D the closure 90 comprises a hinge pin 110 that extends through the upper wall 92 and the bottom wall 96 at some distance from the back wall 94. The closure 90 comprises a claw 116 that can swing around the hinge pin 110. The claw 116 comprises a straight back face 120, and a finger 117 and a lever 119 that together define a hoisting cable confinement opening 118, wherein the lever 119 is located closer to the back wall 94 than the finger 117. The claw 116 is formed such that in a vertical projection parallel to the centre line S the finger 117 and the hoisting cable passage 97 together fully confine the hoisting cable 15 when the extremity of the lever 119 is in contact with the back wall 94 as shown in figures 3A-3D. This is the closed position of the claw 116. The closure 90 comprises a mounting pin 123 at the extremity the lever 119 and a mounting pin 122 under the second side wall 95. A biased tensioning spring 121 extends between the mounting pins 122, 123 to keep the extremity of the lever 119 in contact with the back wall 94. The aligned hoisting cable passages 77, 97 of the supporting flange 50 and the closures 90 are configured to receive the hoisting cables 15 according to a path H of the centre line of the hoisting cable 15 that is directed radially with respect to the centre line S of the second fall pipe section 32. The rotation axis J of the claw 116 as provided by the hinge pin 110 is positioned offset from this path H in tangential direction with respect to the centre line S of the second fall pipe section 32.
The closure 60 furthermore comprises a locking body 130 that is mounted to a slide shaft 131. The slide shaft 131 extends through an opening 100 in the upper wall 92. The locking body 130 comprises a front face 135 and a back face 134, wherein the locking body 130 fits inside the housing 91 such that in the closed position of the claw 116 as shown in figures 3A-3D the back face 134 is in contact with the second side wall 95 and the front face 135 is in abutment with or at a negligible distance from the back face 120 of the claw 116. In this manner the closed position of the claw 116 is locked.
Around the slide shaft 131 a push spring 133 has been provided, which is kept confined and biased by a push plate 132 that is connected to the end of the slide shaft 131. The push spring 133 keeps the locking body 130 in its locking position, in abutment with the upper wall 92. In the mounted condition the slide shaft 131 extends though a hole 57 in the supporting flange 50, wherein the push plate 131 extends freely above the supporting flange 50, but still below the top of the inner circumferential wall 51.
A downwardly directed pressure force that is exerted on the push plate 132 will move down the slide shaft 131 with the locking body 130 in direction G that extends parallel to the centre line S of the second fall pipe section 32. This downwardly directed pressure force acts against the spring force of the pressure spring 133. The locking body 130 can move downward over a limited distance which is enough to bring it fully below the claw 116 but to keep it still inside the housing 91. This is shown in figure 4E. In this position the claw 116 can be rotated in direction F to its open position, wherein some force is needed to let the tensioning spring 121 pass the axis J of the hinge pin 110. After this passage the tensioning spring 121 keeps the claw 116 stably in its opened position. When the claw 116 has become in its open position, the downwardly directed pressure force on the push plate 132 can be omitted to keep the locking body 130 from below into abutment with the back side of the claw 116 that is now situated under the locking body 130. This abutment is maintained by the biased pressure spring 133. When a hoisting cable 15 is pushed into the hoisting cable passage 97 against the lever 119 according to path H, the claw 116 will slap back into its closed position and the lock body 130 will subsequently slap back to come between the second side wall and the claw 116.
When the fall pipe 20 is built up and lowered via the moonpool 6 of the dumping vessel 1, the dumping section 21 that hangs on the hoisting cables 15 is lowered firstly. Subsequently the fall pipe sections 31-38 are stacked one by one while further paying out both hoisting cables 15. After its stacking each fall pipe section 31-38 is lowered in direction D over a distance that is enough to position the upper connector 40 of the latest fall pipe section just below the moonpool 6. Figure 2B shows the second fall pipe section 32 that is lowered to this position, ready to receive the first fall pipe section 31. The first fall pipe section 31 is brought between the hoisting cables 15 by the pipe handling crane 3. The first fall pipe 31 hangs vertically with its lower connector 60 below. The lower connector 60 receives the hoisting cables 15 in the hoisting cable passages 77, whereby the lower connector 40 is guided to the upper connector 60 of the second fall pipe section 32 to be connected as shown in figure 2A. The hoisting cables 15 are subsequently brought into the hoisting passages 54 of the upper connector 40 with the closures 60 in their open position. This triggers the closures 60 to close and lock the claw 116 as was already shown in figure 2B for the second fall pipe section 32.
When the fall pipe 20 is hauled in, the fall pipe sections 31-38 are unstacked by the pipe handling crane 3 from above the deck. In order to open the closures 90, the two hoisting gallows 10 are spread in direction B to urge the hoisting cables 15 out of the closures 90. Subsequently the downwardly directed hydraulic release cylinders 13 are activated to hit and push down the push plates 132, whereby the claws 116 slap open and the hoisting cables 15 are released as shown in figure 2C.
It is to be understood that the above description is included to illustrate the operation of the preferred embodiments and is not meant to limit the scope of the invention. From the above discussion, many variations will be apparent to one skilled in the art that would yet be encompassed by the spirit and scope of the present invention.

Claims

C L A I M S
1. Dumping vessel for dumping sinking particles like sand, blocks, rocks or stones onto the bottom of a lake or sea, comprising a floating hull and a fall pipe pending downwards towards the bottom, wherein the fall pipe comprises a lower dumping section, at least two hoisting cables that connect the dumping section with the hull, and a series of fall pipe sections between the hoisting cables that are stacked onto each other on the dumping section, wherein multiple fall pipe sections each comprise a tube and an upper connector and a lower connector at the ends of the tube, wherein the upper connector and the lower connector of subsequent fall pipe sections engage each other, wherein these fall pipe sections comprise at the upper connector a closure for confinement of one of the hoisting cables, wherein the closure comprises a holder having a hoisting cable passage that is directed to receive the hoisting cable in a radial direction with respect to the centre line of the fall pipe section, and a claw with a hoisting cable confinement opening that can hinge with respect to the holder around a hinge axis between an open position to receive the hoisting cable from outside into the hoisting cable passage and a closed position in which the hoisting cable is received in both the hoisting cable passage and the hoisting cable confinement opening and thereby confined by the claw in the hoisting cable passage, wherein the hoisting cable confinement opening is located at a distance from the hinge axis, wherein the hinge axis extends substantially parallel to the centre line of the fall pipe section and wherein the hinge axis is offset with respect to a notional line through the centre line of the fall pipe section and the centre of the confined hoisting cable .
2. Dumping vessel according to claim 1, wherein the closure comprises a biased spring between the claw and the holder that keeps the claw stably in its open position, wherein the claw hinges to its closed position after exceeding a threshold force against the claw.
3. Dumping vessel according to claim 2, wherein the spring also keeps the claw stably in its closed position, wherein the spring is firstly further tensioned when the claw is pushed from its open position to its closed position.
4. Dumping vessel according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the closure comprises a lock that locks the closed position of the claw.
5. Dumping vessel according to claim 4, wherein the lock is biased towards its locking position.
6. Dumping vessel according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the closure comprises an abutment surface that is operatively connected with the lock, wherein the lock unlocks when a pressure force is exerted on the abutment surface .
7. Dumping vessel according to claim 6, wherein the lock unlocks by displacement of the abutment surface in a direction substantially parallel to centre line.
8. Dumping vessel according to claim 7, wherein the lock unlocks by displacement of the abutment surface in the direction of the lower connector.
9. Dumping vessel according to any one of claim 6-8, wherein the abutment surface forms part of a push plate that is slidaby connected with the holder.
10. Dumping vessel according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the upper connector comprises a support flange that is provided with recessed hoisting cable passages that are open from the outer edge of the flange to accommodate the hoisting cables, wherein the claw of the closure is positioned below such hoisting cable passage.
11. Dumping vessel according to claims 6 and 10, wherein the abutment surface extends above the support flange .
12. Dumping vessel according to claim 10, wherein in a projection parallel to the centre line of the fall pipe section the claw extends both in its open and closed position fully within the outer circumference of the support flange.
13. Dumping vessel according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the closure comprises a housing with the hoisting cable passage, wherein the claw is hingably incorporated in the housing.
14. Method for lowering or hauling in a fall pipe of a dumping vessel, wherein the dumping vessel is adapted for dumping sinking particles like sand, blocks, rocks or stones onto the bottom of a lake or sea, wherein the dumping vessel comprises a floating hull and a fall pipe pending downwards towards the bottom, wherein the fall pipe comprises a lower dumping section, at least two hoisting cables that connect the dumping section with the hull, and a series of fall pipe sections between the hoisting cables that are stacked onto each other on the dumping section, wherein multiple fall pipe sections each comprise a tube and an upper connector and a lower connector at the ends of the tube, wherein the upper connector and the lower connector of subsequent fall pipe sections engage each other, wherein these fall pipe sections comprise at the upper connector a closure for confinement of one of the hoisting cables, wherein the closure comprises a holder having a hoisting cable passage that is directed to receive the hoisting cable in a radial direction with respect to the centre line of the fall pipe section, and a claw with a hoisting cable confinement opening that can hinge with respect to the holder around a hinge axis between an open position to receive the hoisting cable from outside into the hoisting cable passage and a closed position in which the hoisting cable is received in both the hoisting cable passage and the hoisting cable confinement opening and thereby confined by the claw in the hoisting cable passage, wherein the method comprises pushing the hoisting cable into the hoisting cable passage or pulling the hoisting cable out of the hoisting cable passage in a substantially radial direction, wherein the claw comes into contact with the hoisting cable and is moved with it to hinge towards its closed position or its open position.
15. Method according to claim 14, wherein the closure comprises a lock that locks the closed position of the claw, wherein the method comprises pulling at the hoisting cable in the direction out of the hoisting cable passage when the claw is in its closed position, and subsequently unlocking the lock whereby the claw is hinged towards its open position by the biased hoisting cable.
16. Method according to claim 15, wherein the closure comprises an abutment surface that is operatively connected with the lock, wherein the lock unlocks by displacement of the abutment surface, wherein the method comprises pushing down the abutment surface when the hoisting cable is pulled in the direction out of the cable passage .
17. Method according to claim 16, wherein the abutment surface is moved in the direction of the lower connector in a direction substantially parallel to centre line . o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-
FG/HZ
EP12794561.6A 2011-12-15 2012-11-21 Dumping vessel Active EP2794999B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
NL2007974A NL2007974C2 (en) 2011-12-15 2011-12-15 Dumping vessel.
PCT/NL2012/050828 WO2013095104A1 (en) 2011-12-15 2012-11-21 Dumping vessel

Publications (2)

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EP2794999A1 true EP2794999A1 (en) 2014-10-29
EP2794999B1 EP2794999B1 (en) 2016-04-27

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WO (1) WO2013095104A1 (en)

Cited By (1)

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP3775392B1 (en) * 2018-03-26 2023-12-20 Van Oord Dredging And Marine Contractors B.V. Hoisting system with releasable locking of hoist elements to a winch system

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CN107255472A (en) * 2017-06-15 2017-10-17 中交航局第工程有限公司 Jackstone device on a kind of high-accuracy water
CN111664912B (en) * 2020-05-29 2022-03-25 交通运输部天津水运工程科学研究所 System and method for monitoring broken stone amount in stone throwing pipe of underwater leveling machine

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NL9000501A (en) * 1990-03-05 1991-10-01 Oord Acz B V Van VESSEL.
NL9200250A (en) * 1992-02-12 1993-09-01 Seatec Bv Device for pouring material under water

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See references of WO2013095104A1 *

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP3775392B1 (en) * 2018-03-26 2023-12-20 Van Oord Dredging And Marine Contractors B.V. Hoisting system with releasable locking of hoist elements to a winch system

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Publication number Publication date
NL2007974C2 (en) 2013-06-18
EP2794999B1 (en) 2016-04-27
WO2013095104A1 (en) 2013-06-27

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