FI124501B - Device, arrangement and method for locking an underwater hatch or other removable structure - Google Patents

Description

Device, arrangement and method for locking an underwater hatch or other removable structure

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION 5

The invention relates to a device, an arrangement and a method for locking an underwater hatch or other removable or pivotable structure in a ship or other floating structure, according to the preamble of the appended independent claims.

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Background of the Invention

The vessel or other floating structure such as a drilling or service platform or the like may comprise an underwater space, for example as a service space or a lifting shaft for a propeller unit or similar system. Such an underwater space comprises an enclosed or lockable space to which the crew has access from other parts of the ship or similar floating structure and formed adjacent to the bottom or side of the ship or similar floating structure, wherein the propeller device or similar system can be lifted from service position to service - / storage position and correspondingly lowered from the service space to the operating position.

The underwater space is provided with at least one watertight shut-off device 25, such as a hatch or other removable structural member, disposed on the bottom or side of the vessel or similar floating structure which when open provides a direct connection to the water to lower the propeller or respectively, for lifting from the water into the service space into the service / storage position, i.e. the service / storage mode, and g 30 which when closed, together with other x underwater space structures, form a waterproof space from which water can be removed after closure.

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00 00 cu The opening in the underwater space shall be closed watertight by one or more portions of the hatch or other detachable member typically secured mechanically to the hull structure by bolts or other similar fasteners. When it is desired to open the hatch (s) or removable component to raise or lower the propeller unit 2 through an underwater opening, the hatch (s) or removable component will be raised or flipped to the side of the guides. The hatch (s) or other removable component is closed / unlocked by an actuator designed thereto, and is temporarily held locked, for example, by hydraulic cylinders or other similar actuators, so that mechanical fasteners such as bolts or the like used to secure the hatch or other component can be disassembled or attached. The use of such hydraulic cylinder solutions as a locking device is problematic because they require drive energy to lock and remain locked. 10 The buoyancy of the underwater hatches is considerable, so the pressure on the cylinders is high and the amount of operating energy thus obtained is considerable. In addition, such actuators are large, heavy and bulky.

Purpose and Description of the Invention 15

The object of the present invention is to reduce or even eliminate the above-mentioned problems in the prior art.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a solution for locking an underwater hatch or other detachable structure on a ship or other floating structure which allows the hatch or other similar structure to be temporarily locked as simply as possible and does not require external operating energy while in the locked state.

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In particular, it is an object of the invention to provide a solution for locking a hatch or other removable structure used to close a bottom or side opening c3 of an underwater space on a ship or other floating structure.

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To accomplish this, the apparatus, arrangement, and method of the invention for locking an underwater hatch or other detachable or pivotable structure in a ship or other floating structure is substantially characterized by what is disclosed in the independent cu claims.

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Other dependent claims disclose some preferred embodiments of the invention.

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A typical apparatus for locking an underwater hatch or other detachable or pivotable structure in a ship or other floating structure according to the invention comprises at least: a locking bar that is pivotally mounted to a hull or other structure of a ship or other floating structure with a surface of a removable or pivotable structure, - a locking bar pivoting mechanism comprising at least two portions hinged to each other at their first ends, one end of the other 10 being pivotally connected to the locking bar and the other end being pivotally attached to the vessel or other to the frame or other structure of the structure, and - an actuator arranged in engagement with the pivot mechanism.

A typical arrangement of the invention for locking an underwater hatch or other detachable or pivotable structure on a ship or other floating structure comprises at least one at least one apparatus according to the invention, a hatch or other detachable and pivotable structure, and a counter piece with which one end of the locking rod of the apparatus according to the invention can be provided.

In a typical method of the invention, an underwater hatch or other removable or pivotable structure in a vessel or other floating structure is locked by a device according to the invention such that c3 - pivots the locking rod to a locking position; head aligned with locking member in hatch or x removable member, - rotating mechanism in locked position by actuator, and oo - inactivating actuator.

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The embodiments disclosed in this application relate to the apparatus, arrangement, and method of the invention, although not always expressly mentioned.

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The apparatus according to the invention for locking an underwater space hatch or other removable or pivoting structure, i.e. the locking device consists of a locking rod and a locking rod pivoting mechanism and an actuator 5 which rotates the pivoting mechanism.

The solution of the invention allows for the temporary locking of the underwater hatch or other detachable structure when the mechanical fasteners, such as bolts 10 or the like, which are actually used to secure the hatch, are removed or secured. The locking device according to the invention is typically arranged in the underwater space of the ship at the edge of the closing door (s) or similar structure and secured to the wall of the underwater space.

The locking rod of the locking device according to the invention is an elongated rod comprising a first end and a second end. The locking bar can be articulated to the hull or other structure of the ship around the lockable hatch or other removable structure at any point on the locking bar, depending on the application. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the locking bar is pivotally mounted to the hull of a vessel or other floating structure at the first end of the locking bar and the other end of the locking bar is arranged to be compatible with the counterpart on the surface of the hatch or other detachable or pivotable structure. In one embodiment of the invention, the locking rod is secured in place at its upper end and the lower end of the rod is provided in communication with the hatch or other detachable structure. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, an adjustable support c3 is provided at one end of the locking bar facing the hatch, which in the locking position of the apparatus according to the invention fits into a counterpart in the hatch (s) or detachable member. The adjustable bracket x at the lower end of the locking bar is intended to adjust the play of the locking bar and the counterpart in the hatch (s) or removable component

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Typically, the arrangement according to the invention comprises a counter piece mounted on the surface of a hatch or other removable or pivotable structure, in which the other end of the locking rod can be arranged in the locking position.

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The counterpart may be fixed or detachable to the door surface. The mating member and the associated end of the locking rod end may be shaped differently to suit each other. In one embodiment of the invention, the counter piece is arranged in a shape 5 that is compatible with the end of the locking rod.

When locking the hatch (s) or detachable component with the locking device according to the invention, the locking bar is rotated to a locking position (communicating with a counterpart on the hatch surface) by means of the associated pivoting mechanism. The pivoting mechanism in the locking device is activated by an actuator arranged in communication with the pivoting mechanism. The pivoting mechanism of the locking device according to the invention comprises at least two interconnected movable parts which are hinged to one another at their first ends. Of these articulated portions 15, one portion is pivotally attached to a locking bar and the other portion is pivotally attached to a hull or other structure, typically an underwater space wall. The point of attachment of the swivel mechanism to the locking rod can be selected on a case-by-case basis. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the pivoting mechanism is secured to the locking rod in the area between one end of the locking rod (the end facing the hatch surface) and the center when the locking rod is attached at its first end to the body. In another embodiment of the invention, the pivoting mechanism is secured to the end of the locking rod and the locking rod is secured to the body near the center of the locking rod in the longitudinal direction of the locking rod.

£! The actuator in the locking device is arranged in contact with the pivoting structure of the pivoting mechanism. By means of the actuator, the articulated parts of the pivoting mechanism are pivoted so that the other end g 30 of the locking rod is brought into contact with the surface x of the hatch or other removable part.

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In the locking device according to the invention, the locking rod is locked so that the pivotally connected parts of the pivoting mechanism are either pressed or pulled by the actuator from their pivot point, depending on the mounting location of the actuator until they lock each other. The pivoting mechanism is a so-called self-locking pivoting system in which the pivotally mounted parts of the pivoting mechanism 6 are lockable when the pivot point between them is bent away from the plane direction with the parts arranged in substantially the same plane. With the pivoting mechanism arranged in the apparatus horizontally, the pivot point is bent away from the horizontal, with the parts 5 arranged horizontally in substantially the same plane.

In other words, the parts of the pivoting mechanism push slightly over the pivot point, thereby locking the pivot system. When the locking rod is in the locked position, the pivoting mechanism is positioned so that the actuator driving it is not loaded and does not require operating energy, so that the locking rod remains locked in the 10 position without external energy.

When it is desired to unlock the locking bar, the actuator releases the pivoting mechanism which pivots the locking bar to the open position. In the open position, the pivoting parts of the pivoting mechanism bend from the direction of the plane 15 towards each other. As a result, the locking bar swivels to release the door or similar structure from locking.

The actuator used in the locking device according to the invention may be any suitable actuator such as, for example, hydraulically, pneumatically, mechanically or electrically actuated. In one embodiment of the invention, the actuator may be a hydraulic cylinder, a pneumatic cylinder, a guide screw, or the like, which is pivotally mounted to the hull or other structure of the vessel around a lockable hatch or other detachable structure. The actuator may be arranged in the apparatus 25 so as to either push or pull the pivoting mechanism.

£! In one embodiment of the invention, the locking bar of the locking device, the other end of the second part of the turning mechanism and the actuator are articulated to the wall of the underwater space of the vessel. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the underwater space comprises a recess at the edge of a hatch or other x-opening structure into which the locking device of the invention is provided. The locking bar and actuator are typically parallel to the rack apparatus of the invention, and the pivoting mechanism is typically arranged in the r3 assembly such that it is in a locking position substantially perpendicular to the locking bar and actuator. In one embodiment of the invention, the locking rod and actuator are pivotally mounted on the roof portion of the recess in the underwater condition so that they are 7 parallel in the locking device and pivotally mounted on the vertical wall of the recess so as to be substantially horizontal.

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The locking device according to the invention is intended for locking hatches or other detachable components used for closing underwater spaces of vessels or other floating structures. Typically, submerged spaces are partially or wholly below water. The locking device according to the invention 10 can be used to lock either the hatch on the bottom or the side of the vessel or any other removable or pivoting structure. By other removable or pivotable component is meant, for example, the support structure of the propeller device. The hatches and other components may consist of one or more parts. The underwater hatch or other detachable structure of the vessel or other floating structure may comprise one or more locking devices according to the invention, depending on the size of the hatch or detachable structure. Typically, a plurality of locking devices are arranged in the structure around the hatch or the removable structure.

20 Description of Figures Ivhvt

In the following, the invention will be explained in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 shows an arrangement for locking an underwater hatch or other structure of the invention, Figure 2 shows a device of the invention in a locked position;

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DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION S 30 x Figure 1 shows, by way of example, an arrangement according to an embodiment of the invention, wherein the locking devices are in the locking position by closing the hatch at the bottom of the vessel or similar structure. Figure 2 shows a locking device according to the invention in the locked position and Figure 3 shows a locking device according to the invention in the open position. In the drawings, the same reference numerals are used for corresponding parts.

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In Figure 1, the locking device 1 is arranged in an underwater space 8 of a vessel or other floating structure which is closed watertight by a hatch or other similar structure 6. The locking device 1 is arranged in a recess arranged in an underwater space on the outer edge of the hatch or similar structure.

The locking device 1 shown in Fig. 1 comprises a locking rod 2 hinged at its first end 2 'to the hull 7 of a vessel or other floating structure. The other end 2' of the locking rod 2 comprises an adjustable support 10 The counter piece 5 is arranged on the surface of a hatch or other similar part 6 which can be opened or detached.

The locking bar 2 is moved by the pivoting mechanism 3 and the actuator 4 associated therewith. The pivot mechanism 3 comprises at least two movable parts 3 'and 3' pivotally attached to each other and pivotally attached at one of their first ends and one end of the second movable part 3 'being pivotally attached to the locking rod 2 and the other end of the other movable part 3'. The actuator 4 is arranged in communication with the pivoting mechanism 3 by means of which it pivots the pivoting mechanism 3, as a result of which the locking bar 2 moves to the open or closed position. The actuator 4 is pivotally mounted on the hull 7. The locking bar 2 and the actuator 4 are substantially parallel to the locking device 1 and the pivoting mechanism 3 is substantially horizontal to the locking bar and actuator.

Fig. 1 shows two locking devices according to the invention arranged at opposite edges of the hatch 6 used for closing the underwater space.

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g 30 Figure 2 shows that when the locking device is locked, the pivot point between the pivoting parts 3 'and 3' of the pivoting mechanism x 3 is locked when the pivot point is slightly over, i.e. below the horizontal in the case of the locking device shown. The actuator 4 cu associated with the pivot mechanism is used to activate the pivot mechanism. When the locking device ^ 35 is opened, the pivot point between the pivoting parts 3 'and 3' of the pivoting mechanism 3 is raised and as a result the locking rod 2 is pivoted as shown in Figure 3.

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The invention is not intended to be limited to the exemplary embodiments set forth above, but is intended to be extensively applied within the scope of the inventive idea defined in the claims defined below.

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Claims (11)

Device (1) for loading an underwater hatch or any detachable or pivotal structure (6) in a ship or in any floating structure, characterized in that the device (1) comprises at least - a loading rod (2) which is attachable in a guided manner in a hull (7) or any construction of the vessel or of any floating structure, and which reading bar may be arranged from its other end (2 ") in contact with a readable door or with a surface of any removable or pivotable construction ( 6), 10. The swivel mechanism (3) of the reading bar, which comprises at least two parts (3 ', 3') which from their first ends are attached to each other in a articulated manner, and of which the other end of the second part (3 ') is arranged in a hinged manner in contact with the reading bar (2) and the other end of the second part (3 ") is fastenable in a hinged manner with the hull (7) or any construction of the vessel or any floating structure and - an actuator (4) arranged in contact with the pivot mechanism (3). 2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the other end (2 ') of the reading bar (2) comprises an adjustable support, which can be arranged compatible with a counterpart (5), which is located on the surface of the door or some removable or pivotable construction. (6). Device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that r? The parts (3 ', 3 ") of the pivot mechanism (3), which are attached to each other in a guided manner, are readable when the joint point between them is bent away from the direction of the plane where the parts (3', ° 3") are arranged substantially in same piano. CVJ X 4. Device according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the actuator (4) is a hydraulic cylinder, pneumatic cylinder, guide screw or an other similar actuator. δ CVJ Device according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the actuator (4) is fastened to the hull (7) or any structure of the vessel or any floating structure. Device according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the pivoting mechanism (3) is fixed to the reading bar (2) at an area between the other end (2 ') and the midpoint of the reading bar (2). Arrangement for reading an underwater hatch or any removable or pivotal structure (6) in a vessel or in any floating structure, characterized in that the arrangement comprises - at least one device according to any of claims 1 - 6, - a hatch or any detachable or pivotal structure (6), - a counterpart (5) arranged on the surface of the lug or any detachable or pivotal structure (6), in contact with which the other end (2 ") of the device ( 1) reading shutter. Arrangement according to claim 7, characterized in that the shape of the counterpart is arranged compatible with the other end (2 ") of the reading bar (2). 20 9. Arrangement according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that the underwater hatch or any removable or pivotal structure (6) is a hatch or any removable or pivotal structure that closes a bottom co or side opening of an underwater space (8) in a ship. or in any liquid construction. in CVJ o ° Arrangement according to claim 9, characterized in that the reading bar | (2), the other end of the second part (3 ") of the swing mechanism (3) and the actuator are fixed to the wall of the underwater compartment (8). 00 in 30 CVJ o 11. A method for reading an underwater hatch or any removable or pivotal structure (6) in a vessel or in any floating structure, characterized in that in the method the hatch or any removable or pivotal structure is read with a device according to any of claims 1 - 6 by turning a reading bar (2) towards a reading position by means of a swing mechanism (3), which swing mechanism is moved by means of an actuator (4), arranged against each other end of the reading bar (2) and a counterpart (5) , which is located on the door or on any detachable or pivotal structure (6), - arrange the pivot mechanism (3) in the reading position by means of the actuator (4), and - inactivate the actuator (4). CO δ c \ j i CVJ o o CVJ X cc CL CO CO m CVJ δ CVJ