EP3219872A1

EP3219872A1 - Method for arranging a support structure in a tank and method for conducting an action in a tank

Info

Publication number: EP3219872A1
Application number: EP17160622.1A
Authority: EP
Inventors: van Ronnie Gerard Peter Baal
Original assignee: Vb Holding BV
Current assignee: Vb Holding BV
Priority date: 2016-03-14
Filing date: 2017-03-13
Publication date: 2017-09-20
Also published as: NL2016431B1

Abstract

The invention provides a method for arranging a support structure (36) in a tank (1) having a spherical cavity (2), the spherical cavity having a cavity diameter (3) of at least 10 m and containing a vertically arranged central element (4) having a first length (5) in the range of at least 80 % of the cavity diameter of the spherical cavity, wherein a connection part (6) is fixedly arranged in or outside the spherical cavity at a distance (7) measured from a highest position (8) of the spherical cavity of at most 20 % of the cavity diameter, the method comprising:
a) arranging a hinge support (9) to the central element below the connection part and connecting the hinge support with the connection part via a first connector (10); wherein the hinge support is at least vertically movable along the central element via the first connector;
b) hingingly coupling a first end (11) of a boom (12) to the hinge support and connecting the boom to the connection part via a second connector (13) with a second length (14) of the second connector between the connection part and the boom being variable..

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a method for arranging a support structure in a tank and method for conducting an action in a tank. In particular, the action is an inspection and/ or repair of a tank. In particular, the tank is for storing natural gases, in particular in liquefied forms (LNG - liquid natural gas). The invention further relates to a kit of parts including one or more elements for use in the method.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Such tanks and certain methods for conducting an action in a tank are known in the art. In US 3,968,764 a ship with several spherical tanks for transport of liquefied gases is described. Each of the tanks comprises for service of the tank a platform on a boom which is pivotably and movably mounted on another platform which is fixed to a central column or tower inside of the tank. This equipment inside of each tank for servicing the tank is expensive and reduces the possible storage volume of the tank for a liquid or a gas.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Hence, it is an aspect of the invention to provide an alternative method for arranging a support structure in a tank and/or a method for conducting an action in a tank, which preferably further at least partly obviates one or more of above-described drawbacks. In particular the method should provide for a cost reduction in tank servicing. Especially, the tank servicing should be conducted in a minimal amount of time.
The invention provides a method for arranging a support structure in a tank (for conducting an action in the tank) having a spherical cavity, the spherical cavity especially having a cavity diameter of at least 10 m [Meter] and containing a vertically arranged central element having a first length, especially in the range of at least 80 % of the cavity diameter of the spherical cavity, wherein a connection part is fixedly arranged in or outside the spherical cavity, (especially (configured) at a distance measured from a highest position of the spherical cavity of at most 20 % of the cavity diameter), the method comprising:

a) arranging a hinge support to the central element below the connection part and connecting the hinge support with the connection part via a first connector; wherein the hinge support is at least vertically movable along the central element via the first connector; and
b) hingingly coupling a first end of a boom to the hinge support and connecting the boom to the connection part via a second connector with a second length of the second connector between the connection part and the boom being variable.

With such method, one may conduct actions in the tanks without the use of scaffolds, including its time consuming installation and de-installation. Thereby, attendence of humans in the tank may be minimized, leading to cost savings and safety increase. Hence, the invention provides a method for arranging a support structure in a tank, especially for conducting an action in the tank. The support structure especially includes the hinge support and the boom.
As indicated below, connections may be made with rope access elements. Further, in embodiments the method may further include providing rope access elements at a second end of the pivotable boom wherein the rope access elements are functionally coupled with the boom for support of a human to conduct the action. Alternatively or additionally, the boom may include one or more of a (remote) controllable device and a sensor. Such sensor may especially be configured for inspecting the tank internal face. The sensor is especially an optical sensor, such as a cameral. The (remote) controllable device may especially be configured to execute an action to the tank internal face (other than inspection, detection, measuring, controlling). The (remote) controllable device may also include a sensor, but e.g. als (other) robotics. Therefore, in embodiments the method may further comprise providing a remote controllable device, at (especially a second end of) the pivotable boom. The remote controllable device may comprise one or more of a sensor and a robot for conducting the action(s). Hence, with the remote controllable device one may execute one or more of the herein described actions. In embodiments, the remote controllable may be controlled via wires. In yet other embodiments, the remote controllable may be controlled wireless. The remote controllable may be controlled from external of the tank.
In particular, the method requires the tank to comprise a substantially vertically arranged central element. Substantially vertically arranged means in particular, that the central element is inclined to the vertical axis by at maximum 10 angular degrees, such as at maximum 5°. The central element may be a tubular element which extends through the spherical cavity. The central element may house for example a filling tube for filling or emptying the spherical cavity with a liquid or gas. The spherical cavity may also divert from a circular cross-section. Also oval shaped cross-sections and other round forms are considered as being spherical in the context of the present invention. Herein, the term "spherical" may also refer to substantially spherical.
The tank comprises a tank wall, wherein the internal face of the tank wall defines the spherical cavity. The outside of the tank is defined by the external face of the tank. The cavity diameter of the spherical cavity is the greatest distance between internal faces of the tank wall facing each other.
A connection part, for example a fixation point or a flange, is arranged inside or, in particular, (immediately) outside of the tank (but especially close to a hightes position of the tank). In particular, the connection part is at least fixed in its position on the vertical axis. The connection part provides for the upper fixation point of the first connector. The hinge support is connected to the connection part via the first connector, for example a chain, a rope or a cable. The hinge support is arranged movably on the central element, so that it can move up and down along the central element or may rotate around the central element. In particular, by varying the third length of the first connector the hinge support may move up and down the central element. These movements may be supported or conducted alone by a drive unit (for example a motor or a mechanical gear system). The connection part may be permanently arranged in or outside the sperical cavity.
The hinge support is arranged for the action to be conducted inside the tank. The hinge support is not to remain inside the tank but is to be assembled at each time at which the tank is supposed to be serviced.
The hinge support has means for coupling a first end of the boom to the hinge support. Further the boom is connected to the connection part via a second connector, for example a chain, a rope or a cable. The connection part provides for the upper fixation point of the second connector. By varyiing the second length of the second connector the boom may pivot around the hinge of the hinge support.
Rope access elements are provided at a second end of the boom so that a human (or robot or sensor), conducting the action on the tank, is supported. The human being suspended from the second end of the boom can thus access almost every point of the internal face of the tank by moving the boom around the central element and by pivoting the boom around the hinge of the hinge support. The robot and/or sensor may be attached to an end of the second end of the boom. The terms "robot" and "sensor" may also refer to a plurality of robots and sensors, respectively.
The method allows for an easy and quick installation of the hinge support and the boom on the central element so that service time and costs can be considerably reduced. Permanent installation of this equipment is not necessary. Further, scaffolding of the complete inside of the tank is not required anymore so that introduction of the numerous scaffolding equipment into the tank and the time for erecting the scaffolding can be dispensed with. In this way, processing time may be greatly reduced. The time for installing scaffolds may take days, as well as removal may also take days. With the present method, within a day the means may be introduced and installed in the tank and also removed again. A time reduction of over 50%, even over 80% may be achieved with the present method.
In particular, the connection part is attached to the central element.
According to a preferred emodiment, the cavity diameter is in the range of 10 to 30 m [meter].
According to another embodiment the central element comprises a filling tube, which comprises an outlet at a first tube end being closest to a lowest position of the spherical cavity, and further comprising the connection part at a second tube end being closest to the highest position of the spherical cavity, wherein the connection part comprises a flange configured to connect the central element with an external supply tube. Hence, for filling or removal of contents, an external supply may be connected with the connection part. This may be a (semi) permanent connection (with passage through the tank wall).
Hence, in particular, the tank can be filled via the external supply tube which can be connected to the filling tube. The connection part may form the end of the central element or the second tube end of the filling tube and in particular comprises a flange to which the external supply tube may be fixed in case of filling of the tank. This flange may also be utilized for the fixation of the first connectors for supporting and moving the hinge support and and for fixation of the second connectors for pivoting the boom around the hinge and for rotating the boom around the central element.
In particular, the boom comprises one or more truss elements. The one or more truss elements may be coupled to form the boom. They may be assembled outside and/or inside of the tank.
According to a preferred embodiment the central element comprises a cylindrical section wherein the hinge support comprises a multi-part element circumferentially extending around the cylindrical section; wherein the multi-part element at least comprises a first bracket part, a second bracket part, and bracket part connectors, wherein the hinge support further comprises one or more male and/or female first hinge elements for hingingly coupling to one or more female and/or male second hinge elements being arranged at the first end of the boom.
With the hinge support comprising a multi-part element easy assembly of the hinge support on the central element can be ensured. In this way, the single parts of the hinge support may be transported to the inside of the tank and be assembled directly on the central element. The hinge support can be availble in the tank permanently. However, especially the hinge support is only arranged to the central element for application of the method.
In particular, the rope access elements comprises a harness belt. The harness belt is a belt system for securing a human which is suspended from the second end of the boom. In that way the human conducting the action can be safely and comfortably attached to the boom. Alternatively or additionally, the rope access elements may comprise one or more of a harnes, an ascenders, a descender, a backup device, a karabiner, a connector, a strop and a sling, etc.. The first and/or second connectors may (thus) also include one or more rope access elements.
In particular, the action comprises one or more of inspection, detection, measuring, controlling, and repairing (of the tank, in particular of the internal face of the spherical cavity). These actions are in general referred to as servicing of the tank. The action may in embodiments also comprise coating (the internal face), etc..
According to another preferred embodiment, the spherical cavity has a central vertical cavity axis (being identical with the vertical axis), wherein the action is conducted between first angles selected from 0° to 135° [angular degrees], preferably between first angles selected from 0° to 150°, relative to the cavity axis extending from the highest position of the spherical cavity, and wherein the action is conducted between second angles selected from 135° to 180° with the aid of the support structure, for instance by a human lowering with the rope acces elements while the boom may e.g. maintan substantially horizontal or by using a device for conduction the action. Thus, a boom configured parallel with the central element with the second end pointing towards the highest positions generates an angle of 0° (with the central element of vertical axis).
In embodiments, one or more of the height of the hinge support and the position of the boom (angle relative to a vertical axis (i.e. angle in a vertical plane) and/or rotational angle (i.e. angle in a horizontal plane) are remote controlled. To this end the support structure may include one or more actuators to control one or more of the height of the hinge support and the position of the boom.
Yet, the invention further provides a method for conduction an action in the tank, the tank having a spherical cavity (the spherical cavity having a cavity diameter of at least 10 m [Meter] and containing a vertically arranged central element having a first length in the range of at least 80 % of the cavity diameter (such as in the range of 80-100%, especially 80-99%, such as 80-95%), wherein a connection part is fixedly arranged in or outside the spherical cavity at a distance measured from a highest position of the spherical cavity of at most 20 % of the cavity diameter, the method comprising conducting said action with the aid of the support structure obtainable with the method (for arraning the support structure in the tank as described herein). The action may especially comprise one or more of inspection, detection, measuring, controlling, and repairing, etc..
According to another embodiment, at least

the hinge support or multi-part elements for assembling the hinge support, and
the boom or subassemblies for assembling the boom

are provided into the spherical cavity via a lower manhole close to a lowest position of the spherical cavity. In particular a subassembly comprises at least one truss element. Subassemblies may be associated to each other with means known in the art.
Acccording to another embodiment, at least one of the following parts (i) hinge support, (ii) multi part elements, (iii) boom subassemblies, (iv) first connector, (v) second connector may also be provided into the spherical cavity via an upper manhole close to the highest position of the spherical cavity. However, one or more of these parts may also be provided into the spherical cavity via a lower manhole. The connection part may permanently be associated with the central element, such as in the case of a flange. For instance, a flange, such as ring on a shaft or pipe may be welded to such shaft or pipe. Hence, the connection part may be permanently associated with the central element.
In particular, the lower manhole is positioned within a distance measured from a lowest position of the spherical cavity of at most 20 % of the cavity diameter. In particular, the upper manhole is positioned within a distance measured from a highest position of the spherical cavity of at most 20 % of the cavity diameter.
The hinge support maybe at least preassembled prior to transportation into the spherical cavity. The same may apply to the boom. For example, the hinge support may be assembled and arranged on the central element in a first step. In a subsequent second step a first subassembly of the boom may be attached to the hinge support. In further subsequent steps the hinge support may be moved upwards along the central element so that further subassemblies may be attached to the boom step by step. Finally, the boom may be completely assembled wherein the boom is arranged completely inside the spherical cavity. From this position of the hinge support and the boom, the boom may be pivoted around the hinge support so that the second end of the boom can be arranged next to almost any point of the internal face of the spherical cavity.
According to another preferred embodiment the hinge support and the boom together are (configured) rotable around the central element.
In particular, the first connector comprises one or more chains, and/or the second connector comprises one or more of a cable and a rope. The first connector may additionally or alternatively also comprise a cable. The first connector may additionally or alternatively also comprise a rope. The second connector may additionally or alternatively also comprise a chain. Connections may be made with means known in the art. For instance, a flange may amongst others include one or more eyes. These may be used for connecting the first and/or second connectors. Herein, a cable may especially be a steel cable. Herein, a chain may e.g. be a steel chain. A rope may be constructed of any long, stringy, fibrous material, but generally is constructed of certain natural or synthetic fibres. Common natural fibres for rope are manila hemp, hemp, linen, cotton, coir, jute, straw, and sisal. Synthetic fibres in use for rope-making include polypropylene, nylon, polyesters (e.g. PET, LCP, HDPE, Vectran), polyethylene (e.g. Dyneema and Spectra), Aramids (e.g. Twaron, Technora and Kevlar) and acrylics (e.g. Dralon). Some ropes are constructed of mixtures of several fibres or use copolymer fibres. Wire rope is made of steel or other metal alloy.
The invention is further directed to a kit of parts for conducting the inventive method, at least comprising

a hinge support or elements for assembling the hinge support, and/or
a boom, or subassemblies for assembling the boom.

The kit of parts allows for designing a specified set of parts which can be adapted for servicing tanks with spherical cavities and a central element.
In particular, the kit of parts further comprises

one or more chains, and/or
one or more of a cable and a rope.

The invention is further directed to a subkit of parts, especially for (use in) the inventive kit of parts, comprising a multi-part element for assembling the hinge support, wherein the multi-part element at least comprises a first bracket part, a second bracket part, and bracket part connectors for connecting the first bracket part and the second bracket part, one or more male and/or female first hinge elements for hingingly coupling to one or more corresponding female and/or male second hinge elements, wherein the male and/or female first hinge elements are connected with or can be connected with one or more of the first bracket part, the second bracket part and the bracket part connectors. Bracket part connectors may especially include bolts and corresponding nuts.
In particular, the kit of parts or the subkit of parts comprises a hinge support which comprises sliding elements so that (in use) the hinge support can be slidably arranged on the central element. The sliding elements may be plastic strips which can be attached on the contact surface of the hinge support with the central element.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying schematic drawings in which corresponding reference symbols indicate corresponding parts, and in which:

Fig. 1:: depicts a tank with a spherical cavity viewed from the side;
Fig. 2:: depicts a kit of parts in a perspective view;
Fig. 3:: depicts the kit of parts of fig. 2 in a side view;
Fig. 4:: depicts the kit of fig. 2 and 3 in a top view; and
Fig. 5:: depicts a subkit of parts in an exploded perspective view.

The schematic drawings are not necessarily on scale.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

Fig. 1 schematically depicts a tank 1 with a spherical cavity 2 viewed from the side. The spherical cavity 2 has a cavity diameter 3 of at least 10 m [Meter] and contains a vertically arranged central element 4 having a first length 5 in the range of at least 80 % of the cavity diameter 3 of the spherical cavity 2. Here, a connection part 6 is fixedly arranged inside the spherical cavity 2. Optionally, however, the connection part may be configured at least partly external from the tank 1.
Assuming a cavity diameter 3 of 10 meter, the central element 4 may have a length of at least 8 m, such as e.g. up to 9.5 m). A hinge support 9 is arranged on the central element 4 below the connection part 6 and is connected with the connection part 6 via a first connector 10. The hinge support 9 is vertically movable along the central element 4 via the first connector 10. A first end 11 of a boom 12 is hingingly connected to the hinge support 9. The boom 12 is connected to the connection part 6 via a second connector 13 with a second length 14 of the second connector 13 between the connection part 6 and the boom 12 being variable. At a second end 16 of the pivotable boom 12 rope access elements 15 are provided wherein the rope access elements are functionally coupled with the boom 12 for support of a human 17 to conduct the action.
In this way, the invention provides a support structure 36 in comprising the hinge support 9 and the boom 12. The hinge support is (functionally) coupled to the central element 4. Further, the hinge support 9 and the boom are connected via the connectors 10,13 with the connection part 6. Further, the support structure may optionally include one or more actuators.
In case of fig. 1 the central element 4 is arranged parallel to the vertical axis. The central element 4 is a tubular element which extends through the spherical cavity 2. The central element 4 houses a filling tube 18 for filling or emptying the spherical cavity 2 with a liquid or gas.
The connection part 6 forms here the upper end of the central element 4 and is thus fixed in its position on the vertical axis. The connection part 6 provides for the upper fixation point of the first connector 10. The hinge support 9 is connected to the connection part 6 via the first connector 10, here a chain 39. The hinge support 9 is arranged movably on the central element 4, so that it can move up and down along the central element 4 or may rotate around the central element 4. By varyiing the third length 47 of the first connector 10 the hinge support 9 is moved up and down the central element 4. An (electro) motor (not shown), or other type of actuator, may be used for vertical transport. This moter, or other type of actuator, may be attached to the hinge support 9.
The boom 12 is connected to the connection part 6 via a second connector 13, here a rope 41 or a cable 40. The connection part 6 provides for the upper fixation point of the second connector 13. By varyiing the second length 14 of the second connector 13 the boom 12 may pivot around the hinge of the hinge support 9.
The central element 4 comprises a filling tube 18, which comprises an outlet 19 at a first tube end 20 being closest to a lowest position 21 of the spherical cavity 2, and further comprises the connection part 6 at a second tube end 22 being closest to the highest position 8 of the spherical cavity 2, wherein the connection part 6 comprises a flange 23 configured to connect the central element 4 with an external supply tube 24. The tank 1 can be filled via the external supply tube 24 which can be connected to the filling tube 18 as shown. In embodiments, the connection part 6 forms the end of the central element 4 and the second tube end 22 of the filling tube 18. The flange 23 is also be utilized for the fixation of the first connector(s) 10 for supporting and moving the hinge support 9 and and for fixation of the second connector(s) 13 for pivoting the boom 12 around the hinge and for rotating the boom 12 around the central element 4.
The boom 12 comprises one or more truss elements 25. The one or more truss elements 25 are coupled thus forming the boom 12.
The central element 4 has a cyndrical section 26 wherein the hinge support 9 comprises a multi-part element 27 circumferentially extending around the cylindrical section 9.
The rope access elements 15 comprises a harness belt 32. The harness belt 32 is a belt system for securing a human 17 which is suspended from the second end 16 of the boom 12. In that way the human 17 conducting the action can be safely and comfortably attached to the boom 12.
In the schematically depicted embodiment, the angle between the boom 12 and the vertical cavity axis 33 is about 60°.
The hinge support 9 and the boom 12 or subassemblies 37 for assembling the boom 12 are provided into the spherical cavity 2 via a lower manhole 38 close to a lowest position 21 of the spherical cavity 2. There is also an upper manhole 45 through which for example the first connector 10 and the second connector 13 may be introduced into the tank 1 and be fixed to the connection part 6.
In embodiments, the boom can be rotated relative to the vertical axis or cavity axis 33. In embodiments, the boom can also be rotated in a plane perpendicular to this axis (rotational angle). In embodiments, this can be done remote, such as external from the cavity. In such embodiments, the support structure 36 may include one or more (remote controlled) actuators.
In embodiments, one or more of the height of the hinge support and the position of the boom (angle relative to a vertical axis (i.e. angle in a vertical plane) and/or rotational angle (i.e. angle in a horizontal plane) are remote controlled.
Fig. 2 depicts an embodiment a kit of parts 42 in a perspective view. Fig. 3 depicts the embodiment of the kit of parts 42 of fig. 2 in a side view. Fig. 4 depicts the embodiment of the kit of parts 42 of fig. 2 and 3 in a top view. Fig. 2 to 4 are described together in the following. The kit of parts 42 comprises a hinge support 9 and a boom 12 with subassemblies 37. The hinge support 9 is a multi-part element 27. The multi-part element 27 comprises a first bracket part 28, a second bracket part 29, and bracket part connectors 30 (for example screws) for connecting the first bracket part 28 and the second bracket part 29. The bracket parts 28, 29 further comprise sliding elements 46 so that the hinge support 9 can be slidably arranged on the central element 4. The sliding elements 46 may be plastic strips which can be attached on the contact surface of the hinge support 9 with the central element 4.
The multi-part element 27 further comprises a female first hinge element 31 for hingingly coupling to one or more corresponding male second hinge element 44 connected with a first end 11 of the boom 12, wherein the female first hinge element 31 is connected with the second bracket part 29. In case of fig. 2 to 4 the femaile first hinge element 31 is welded to the second bracket part 29.
Fig. 5 depicts an embodiment of a subkit of parts 43 in an exploded perspective view. The subkit of parts 43 for the kit of parts 42 comprises a multi-part element 27 for assembling the hinge support 9, wherein the multi-part element 27 comprises a first bracket part 28, a second bracket part 29, and bracket part connectors 30 for connecting the first bracket part 28 and the second bracket part 29. The multi-part element 27 further comprises a male or female first hinge element 31 for hingingly coupling to one corresponding female and/or male second hinge element 44, wherein the first hinge element 31 is connected with the second bracket part 29.
The term "substantially" herein, such as in "substantially consists", will be understood by the person skilled in the art. The term "substantially" may also include embodiments with "entirely", "completely", "all", etc. Hence, in embodiments the adjective substantially may also be removed. Where applicable, the term "substantially" may also relate to 90% or higher, such as 95% or higher, especially 99% or higher, even more especially 99.5% or higher, including 100%. The term "comprise" includes also embodiments wherein the term "comprises" means "consists of". The term "and/or" especially relates to one or more of the items mentioned before and after "and/or". For instance, a phrase "item 1 and/or item 2" and similar phrases may relate to one or more of item 1 and item 2. The term "comprising" may in an embodiment refer to "consisting of" but may in another embodiment also refer to "containing at least the defined species and optionally one or more other species".
Furthermore, the terms first, second, third and the like in the description and in the claims, are used for distinguishing between similar elements and not necessarily for describing a sequential or chronological order. It is to be understood that the terms so used are interchangeable under appropriate circumstances and that the embodiments of the invention described herein are capable of operation in other sequences than described or illustrated herein.
The devices herein are amongst others described during operation. As will be clear to the person skilled in the art, the invention is not limited to methods of operation or devices in operation.
It should be noted that the above-mentioned embodiments illustrate rather than limit the invention, and that those skilled in the art will be able to design many alternative embodiments without departing from the scope of the appended claims. In the claims, any reference signs placed between parentheses shall not be construed as limiting the claim. Use of the verb "to comprise" and its conjugations does not exclude the presence of elements or steps other than those stated in a claim. The article "a" or "an" preceding an element does not exclude the presence of a plurality of such elements. The invention may be implemented by means of hardware comprising several distinct elements, and by means of a suitably programmed computer. In the device claim enumerating several means, several of these means may be embodied by one and the same item of hardware. The mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measures cannot be used to advantage.
The invention further applies to a device comprising one or more of the characterizing features described in the description and/or shown in the attached drawings. The invention further pertains to a method or process comprising one or more of the characterizing features described in the description and/or shown in the attached drawings.
The various aspects discussed in this patent can be combined in order to provide additional advantages. Further, the person skilled in the art will understand that embodiments can be combined, and that also more than two embodiments can be combined. Furthermore, some of the features can form the basis for one or more divisional applications.

REFERENCE NUMERALS:

1: tank
2: spherical cavity
3: cavity diameter
4: central element
5: first length
6: connection part
7: distance
8: highest position
9: hinge support
10: first connector
11: first end
12: boom
13: second connector
14: second length
15: rope access elements
16: second end
17: human and/or device
18: filling tube
19: outlet
20: first tube end
21: lowest position
22: second tube end
23: flange
24: external supply tube
25: truss element
26: cylindrical section
27: multi-part element
28: first bracket part
29: second bracket part
30: bracket part connector
31: first hinge element
32: harness belt
33: cavity axis
34: first angle
35: second angle
36: support structure
37: subassembly
38: lower manhole
39: chain
40: cable
41: rope
42: kit of parts
43: subkit of parts
44: second hinge element
45: upper manhole
46: sliding elements
47: third length

Claims

A method for arranging a support structure (36) in a tank (1) for conducting an action in the tank (1), the tank (1) having a spherical cavity (2), the spherical cavity (2) having a cavity diameter (3) of at least 10 m [Meter] and containing a vertically arranged central element (4) having a first length (5) in the range of at least 80 % of the cavity diameter (3), wherein a connection part (6) is fixedly arranged in or outside the spherical cavity (2) at a distance (7) measured from a highest position (8) of the spherical cavity (2) of at most 20 % of the cavity diameter (3), the method comprising:
a) arranging a hinge support (9) to the central element (4) below the connection part (6) and connecting the hinge support (9) with the connection part (6) via a first connector (10); wherein the hinge support (9) is at least vertically movable along the central element (4) via the first connector (10); and

b) hingingly coupling a first end (11) of a boom (12) to the hinge support (9) and connecting the boom (12) to the connection part (6) via a second connector (13), with a second length (14) of the second connector (13) between the connection part (6) and the boom (12) being variable.
The method according to claim 1, further comprising providing rope access elements (15) at a second end (16) of the pivotable boom (12) wherein the rope access elements are functionally coupled with the boom (12) for support of a human to conduct the action, and wherein the rope access elements (15) comprises a harness belt (32).
The method according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising providing a remote controllable device (17) at a second end (16) of the pivotable boom (12), wherein the remote controllable device (17) comprises one or more of a sensor and a robot for conducting said action, wherein the connection part (6) is attached to the central element (4), and wherein the cavity diameter (3) is in the range of 10 to 30 m.
The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the central element (4) comprises a filling tube (18), which comprises an outlet (19) at a first tube end (20) being closest to a lowest position (21) of the spherical cavity (2), and further comprising the connection part (6) at a second tube end (22) being closest to the highest position (8) of the spherical cavity (2), wherein the connection part (6) comprises a flange (23) configured to connect the filling tube (18) with an external supply tube (24).
The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the boom (12) comprises one or more truss elements (25).
The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the central element (4) comprises a cylindrical section (26) and wherein the hinge support (9) comprises a multi-part element (27) circumferentially extending around the cylindrical section (26); wherein the multi-part element (27) at least comprises a first bracket part (28), a second bracket part (29), and bracket part connectors (30), wherein the hinge support (9) further comprises one or more male and/or female first hinge elements (31) for hingingly coupling to one or more corresponding female and/or male second hinge elements (44) being arranged at the first end (11) of the boom (12).
The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the action comprises one or more of inspection, detection, measuring, controlling, and repairing.
The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the spherical cavity (2) has a central vertical cavity axis (33) and wherein the action is conducted between first angles (34) selected from 0 to 135° [degrees of angle] relative to the cavity axis (33) extending from the highest position (8) of the spherical cavity (2) with the aid of said support structure.
The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least
- the hinge support (9), and

- the boom (12) or subassemblies (37) for assembling the boom (12) are provided into the spherical cavity (2) via a lower manhole (38) close to a lowest position (21) of the spherical cavity (2).
The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the hinge support (9) and the boom (12) together are rotable around the central element (4), and wherein the first connector (10) comprises one or more chains (39), and wherein the second connector (13) comprises one or more of a cable (40) and a rope (41).
A method for conduction an action in the tank (1), the tank (1) having a spherical cavity (2), the spherical cavity (2) having a cavity diameter (3) of at least 10 m [Meter] and containing a vertically arranged central element (4) having a first length (5) in the range of at least 80 % of the cavity diameter (3), wherein a connection part (6) is fixedly arranged in or outside the spherical cavity (2) at a distance (7) measured from a highest position (8) of the spherical cavity (2) of at most 20 % of the cavity diameter (3), the method comprising:
a) conducting said action with the aid of the support structure (36) obtainable with the method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein especially the action comprises one or more of inspection, detection, measuring, controlling, and repairing
A kit of parts (42) for use in the method according to any of the preceeding claims, at least comprising
- a hinge support (9), and

- a boom (12), or subassemblies (37) for assembling the boom (12).
The kit of parts (42) according to claim 12, further comprising
- one or more chains (39), and

- one or more of a cable (40) and a rope (41).
The kit of parts (42) according to any of claims 12 or 13, wherein the hinge support (9) comprises sliding elements (46) so that the hinge support (9) can be slidably arranged on the central element (4).
A subkit of parts (43) for the kit of parts (42) according to any of claims 12 to 14, comprising a multi-part element (27) for assembling the hinge support (9), wherein the multi-part element (27) comprises a first bracket part (28), a second bracket part (29), and bracket part connectors (30) for connecting the first bracket part (28) and the second bracket part (29), one or more male and/or female first hinge elements (31) for hingingly coupling to one or more corresponding female and/or male second hinge elements (44), wherein the male and/ or female first hinge elements (31) are connected with or can be connected with one or more of the first bracket part (28), the second bracket part (29) and the bracket part connectors (30).