FR3122240A1 - Device for maintaining a mesh of wave reinforcements. - Google Patents

Abstract

Device for maintaining a mesh of wave reinforcements. The invention relates to a tank wall for a floating structure for storing and/or transporting a liquid cargo, the tank wall comprising at least one insulating mass (8), at least one corrugated plate comprising series of waves , the wall comprising a plurality of wave reinforcements arranged in a mesh of wave reinforcements, the tank wall comprising at least one device (22) for holding the mesh of wave reinforcements in position against the insulating mass (8 ). Figure 7

Description

Device for maintaining a mesh of wave reinforcements.

The invention relates to the field of sealed and thermally insulating tanks for the storage and/or transport of a liquid cargo at low temperature, such as tanks for the transport of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG), having for example a temperature between -50°C and 0°C at atmospheric pressure, or for the transport of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG), at around -162°C at atmospheric pressure. These tanks can be installed on land or on a floating structure. In the case of a floating structure, the tank can be intended for the transport of gas in the liquid state or to receive gas in the liquid state serving as fuel for the propulsion or the accessories of the floating structure.

The sealed and thermally insulating tanks used for the storage of these liquids at low temperature are usually composed of an insulating mass and a corrugated membrane, composed of a plurality of corrugated plates, coming into contact with the liquid cargo. Between the insulating mass and the corrugated membrane, wave reinforcements can be arranged in the waves of the corrugated plates. The wave reinforcements then have the function of mechanically supporting the waves of the corrugated membrane, in the presence of mechanical stress applied to the tank. The wave reinforcements are then assembled by connecting members to form a mesh of wave reinforcements. A mesh of wave reinforcements is then associated with each of the corrugated plates of the corrugated membrane.

A disadvantage of such a tank wall lies in its assembly. Indeed, the wave reinforcements constituting the mesh of wave reinforcements are not secured to each other, while also having a substantial size and weight, making it difficult to install them and keep them in place on the solid. insulating.

The invention therefore aims to overcome this drawback by designing a device for holding in place the mesh of wave reinforcements during its positioning on the insulating mass, the invention allowing by simple means to facilitate the precise installation of the corrugated plate covering the mesh of wave reinforcements on the insulating block.

The subject of the invention is therefore a method for mounting a tank wall for a floating structure for storing and/or transporting a liquid cargo, the tank wall comprising at least one insulating block, at least one corrugated plate comprising series of waves, the wall comprising a plurality of wave reinforcements arranged in a mesh of wave reinforcements, the mesh of wave reinforcements being arranged between the corrugated plate and the insulating mass by fitting into the series waves of the corrugated plate, the mounting method using a device for holding the mesh of wave reinforcements in position against the insulating mass, the holding device comprising at least a first carrier support of the mesh of wave reinforcements and a second carrier support of the first support via a movable coupling member, process during which in a first step the second support is secured to the insulating mass, in a second step the first support is secured to the second th support by means of the movable coupling member, then in a third step, the mesh of wave reinforcements is positioned on the first support.

The floating structure can in particular transport liquid natural gas, liquefied petroleum gas, liquid ammonia, and can then include several tanks for its storage and/or its transport.

The insulating mass of the tank wall provides the thermal insulation of the tank necessary for the transport of liquid natural gas and may in particular comprise at least one layer of insulation. The corrugated plate includes waves distributed over its surface. Such a configuration of the corrugated plate provides it with greater resistance to the stresses generated on the tank, in particular to thermal shrinkage when the tank is cold, the hydrostatic pressure due to the loading of the liquid cargo, as well as the pressure dynamics due to the movement of the cargo, in particular due to the swell. The waves on the corrugated plate then allow it to deform to overcome these constraints.

The wave reinforcements have a complementary shape to the waves of the corrugated plate. Thus, the wave reinforcements can be arranged in a mesh of wave reinforcements by means of connecting members which connect the wave reinforcements to each other, said mesh being capable of being housed in the series of waves of the corrugated plate in order to reinforce the latter, in particular in the event of mechanical shocks.

The holding device makes it possible to hold the mesh of wave reinforcements against the insulating block during its positioning and at least until the positioning of the corrugated plate overlapping said mesh of wave reinforcements. More specifically, the first support of the holding device is capable of apprehending or receiving one of the connecting members of the mesh of corrugated reinforcements, participating in maintaining said mesh of corrugated reinforcements in position against the insulating mass.

Advantage is taken of such a holding device in that it ensures the maintenance of the mesh of wave reinforcements against the insulating mass during the assembly of the vessel wall allowing on the one hand to facilitate said assembly and on the other part of precisely arranging the corrugated plate overlapping the mesh of wave reinforcements.

According to a characteristic of the invention, during the second step, the position of the first support is adjusted with respect to the second support along a main axis of elongation of the first support.

Such an adjustment of the first support relative to the second support allows the holding device to adapt to different dimensions of wave reinforcement meshes arranged on separate parts of the vessel wall.

According to a feature of the invention, during the second step, the position of the first support is adjusted relative to the second support by means of the movable coupling member.

It is therefore understood that the mobile coupling member makes it possible on the one hand to secure the first support to the second support and on the other hand to participate in the adjustment of the position of the first support relative to the second support. Furthermore, the term "mobile" means the fact that the mobile coupling member is capable of joining and separating from the first support and the second support without breaking its material and a number of times greater than two.

According to one characteristic of the invention, the movable coupling member is a key or a part screwed into the first support and the second support or a system for pressurizing the first support against the vessel wall. The movable coupling member can also be any system equivalent to those mentioned above.

According to one characteristic of the invention, the holding device comprises a third support, a process during which, at a step subsequent to the third step, the third support is secured to the insulating mass by blocking the mesh of wave reinforcements.

More precisely, the third support of the holding device is arranged at one end of the wave reinforcement mesh distinct from the end of the wave reinforcement mesh which is carried by the first support and the second support. According to an example of the invention, the third support has identical structural characteristics to the second support and is capable of receiving part of the mesh of wave reinforcements.

According to one characteristic of the invention, at a step subsequent to the third step, the corrugated plate is placed against the insulating mass so that the mesh of wave reinforcements is housed in the series of waves of said corrugated plate, then said corrugated plate is fixed on the insulating block.

During this step of installing the corrugated plate covering the wave reinforcement mesh, the position of said corrugated plate is adjusted on the insulating mass. Such an adjustment of the position of the corrugated plate on the insulating mass is in particular facilitated by the maintenance of the mesh of wave reinforcements by the maintenance device.

According to one characteristic of the invention, at a step subsequent to the step of installing the corrugated plate against the insulating block referred to above, at least the first support is separated from the second support of the holding device by removing the movable coupling member, then at least the first support is removed from the vessel wall.

According to an example of the invention, the second support of the device for holding the insulating block is also subsequently removed. It is understood from such a step that the holding device can be used to hold another mesh of wave reinforcements against the insulating block during the process of mounting the vessel wall. It is also understood that the holding device is not intended to remain on the vessel wall once the latter has been assembled, the holding device being integral with the insulating mass only during the assembly process of said vessel wall.

The invention also relates to a tank wall for a floating structure for storing and/or transporting a liquid cargo, the tank wall comprising at least one insulating block, at least one corrugated plate comprising series of waves, the wall comprising a plurality of wave reinforcements arranged in a mesh of wave reinforcements, the mesh of wave reinforcements being arranged between the corrugated plate and the insulating block by fitting into the series of waves of the corrugated plate, the vessel wall being characterized in that it comprises at least one device for holding the mesh of corrugated reinforcements in position against the insulating mass, the holding device comprising at least one first carrier support for the mesh of reinforcements wave and a second carrier support of the first support via a movable coupling member, the second support being integral with the insulating mass.

It is understood that the method of mounting the vessel wall uses the holding device comprising at least the first support and the second support.

According to the invention, the mesh of wave reinforcements is produced by means of wave reinforcements linked to each other by the connecting members. Thus, according to an example of the invention, the first support comprises an opening for receiving one of the connecting members of the mesh of wave reinforcements positioned at one end of said mesh of wave reinforcements. According to a non-limiting example of the invention, the connecting members can take the form of a cross or a straight bar.

According to a characteristic of the vessel wall, the first support is a temporary wave reinforcement, distinct from the wave reinforcements of the mesh of wave reinforcements and intended to be removed from the vessel wall.

It will be understood that the first support is placed on the tank wall only during assembly of the latter, said first support not being a permanent component of the tank wall. In addition, the entire retaining device is intended to be removed from the vessel wall once assembly of the latter has been completed.

According to one characteristic of the vessel wall, the holding device comprises means for adjusting the first support relative to the second support comprising at least two first adjustment orifices on one of the first support or of the second support and at least a second adjustment hole on the other first support or second support.

It is understood that the adjustment step of the method of mounting the vessel wall is implemented at least by the adjustment means of the holding device. The first adjustment orifices and the at least one second adjustment orifice are aligned along an axis parallel to the main elongation direction of the first support, corresponding to its main length direction, here longitudinal. The adjustment means then makes it possible to adjust the position of the first support relative to the second support in the direction of main elongation of said first support.

According to one characteristic of the vessel wall, the holding device comprises a third support for blocking the mesh of wave reinforcements in position, the third support being secured to the insulating mass.

It is understood that the method of mounting the vessel wall uses the third support during the step subsequent to the third step, during which the mesh of wave reinforcements is blocked at an end opposite to the end of the mesh wave reinforcements which is blocked by the first support and the second support of the holding device.

According to a characteristic of the vessel wall, the holding device is able to block the mesh of wave reinforcements in position in at least two directions perpendicular to the main axis of elongation of the first support.

The receiving opening of the first support extends along the direction of main elongation of the first support. Thus, the association of the first support with one of the connecting members of the mesh of wave reinforcements which extends in the receiving opening of said first support in its main direction of elongation, makes it possible to block said mesh of wave reinforcements along transverse and vertical directions, perpendicular to the main direction of elongation of the first support, here longitudinal.

According to a characteristic of the vessel wall, the first support comprises at least one receiving opening able to accommodate at least part of the mesh of wave reinforcements. According to an example of the invention, the receiving opening of the first support is intended to receive one of the connecting members of the mesh of wave reinforcements.

Alternatively, part of the wave reinforcement mesh, in particular a connecting member of the wave reinforcement mesh, may comprise a receiving opening in which one end of the first support of the holding device according to the invention is housed.

The invention also relates to a tank of a floating structure for the transport and/or storage of a liquid cargo, comprising at least one wall of the tank mounted according to any one of the preceding characteristics, or at least one wall of tank according to any one of the preceding characteristics.

Other characteristics, details and advantages of the invention will emerge more clearly on reading the description given below by way of indication in relation to the drawings in which:

is a cutaway side view of a floating structure for transporting liquid gas with four tanks comprising the invention;

is a perspective view of a corrugated plate of a corrugated membrane;

is a close-up view of a vessel wall;

is a partial perspective view of a wave reinforcement mesh;

is an exploded view of a device for holding the wave reinforcement mesh according to the invention;

is a side view of the device for holding the ;

is a view of the device for holding the secured to the insulating mass of the vessel wall of the ;

is a perspective view of a third support of the holding device;

is a schematic view of the mesh of wave reinforcements and of the holding device during a step in a process for mounting the vessel wall;

is a schematic view of the corrugated plate and the holding device during a step in the assembly process of the tank wall of the .

It should first be noted that if the figures expose the invention in detail for its implementation, these figures can of course be used to better define the invention, if necessary. It should also be noted that these figures only show exemplary embodiments of the invention. Finally, the same references designate the same elements in all the figures.

On the a floating structure 1 is shown, for example an LNG carrier, which comprises four tanks 2 for storing gas in the liquid state, in particular liquid natural gas. The tanks 2 are separated from each other by double transverse partitions 4, otherwise called "cofferdam". Each of the tanks 2 is formed of a wall 6 comprising among other things an insulating block, visible on the , forming part of the thermal insulation of the wall 6, and a corrugated membrane composed of a plurality of corrugated plates, in contact with the liquid cargo.

The corrugated plate 100, visible on the , is a plate of an anti-corrosion material, in particular stainless steel with a thickness for example between 0.5 mm and 2 mm, advantageously 1.2 mm, measured in a vertical direction V of the corrugated plate 100. The corrugated plate 100 may also comprise a length comprised between 900 mm and 3300 mm measured in a longitudinal direction L of the corrugated plate 100. Finally, the corrugated plate 100 may comprise a width comprised between 600 mm and 1500 mm, measured in a transverse direction T of the corrugated plate 100. The corrugated plate 100 is then delimited at its periphery by an edge 160.

The corrugated plate 100 comprises a plurality of first series of waves 110 parallel to each other and extending along the transverse direction T of the corrugated plate 100. The corrugated plate 100 also comprises a plurality of second series of waves 120 parallel to each other and extending along the longitudinal direction L of the corrugated plate 100. According to the invention, the corrugated plate 100 comprises nine first series of waves 110 and three second series of waves 120.

By wave is meant a deformation of the surface of the corrugated plate 100 in the vertical direction V of the corrugated plate 100. The waves in cross section then have a convex shape with an apex 150.

The first series of waves 110 and the second series of waves 120 extend mainly along directions which are perpendicular to each other, and form at their intersection nodes 130. The nodes 130 emerge vertically from a plane AB in which fits the corrugated plate 100. A peak of at least one node 130 is higher than the peaks 150 of the series of waves 110, 120 of the corrugated plate 100.

The corrugated plate 100 also comprises flat portions 140 in the shape of a quadrilateral, of which the two sides which extend along the longitudinal direction L of the corrugated plate 100 are delimited by two second series of waves 120, and the sides which extend along the transverse direction T of the corrugated plate 100 are delimited by two first series of waves 110. The set of flat portions 140 defines an undeformed surface, extending along the plane AB of the corrugated plate 100 and coming into contact with the insulating mass, when the corrugated membrane is mounted against the insulating mass.

The partially illustrates the vessel wall 6 with in particular a part of the corrugated plate 100 of the corrugated membrane 11, intended to be in contact with the cryogenic fluid contained in the vessel and anchored on the insulating block 8. Wave reinforcements 10, visible to the and divided into first wave reinforcements 10a and second wave reinforcements 10b, are also arranged on the insulating mass 8. In the rest of the detailed description, the first wave reinforcements 10a and the second reinforcements d will be grouped together. wave 10b under the term wave reinforcement 10, when the characteristics mentioned apply to both types of wave reinforcement.

The first wave reinforcements 10a are aligned to form a first series of reinforcements 12a extending in the transverse direction T of the corrugated plate 100. The second wave reinforcements 10b are aligned to form a second series of reinforcements 12b s' extending along the longitudinal direction L of the corrugated plate 100. The first series of reinforcements 12a and the second series of reinforcements 12b are therefore intersecting, in particular in perpendicular directions.

The first wave reinforcements 10a are received in the first series of waves 110 of the corrugated plate 100. It is understood that the first wave reinforcements 10a are positioned so as to be nested in the deformation of the wave, the shape first wave reinforcements 10a being complementary to the shape of the waves of the first series of waves 110 of the corrugated plate 100.

The second wave reinforcements 10b are received in the second series of waves 120 of the corrugated plate 100. It is then understood that the second wave reinforcements 10b are positioned so as to be nested in the deformation of the wave, the shape of the second wave reinforcements 10b being complementary to the shape of the waves of the second series of waves 120 of the corrugated plate 100.

It is also understood that an intersection between the first series of reinforcements 12a and the second series of reinforcements 12b, is positioned under a node 130 of the corrugated plate 100.

Connecting members 14 are arranged in the first wave reinforcements 10a and in the second wave reinforcements 10b, so that they are interconnected under the series of waves 110, 120 of the corrugated plate 100. The connecting members 14 can be, for example and without limitation, in the form of a cross or a straight bar.

In the rest of the detailed description, we will name by mesh of wave reinforcements 16, visible , all of the first series of reinforcements 12a and the second series of reinforcements 12b, connected by at least one of the connecting members 14, and in particular a plurality of connecting members 14, under a single and same corrugated plate 100. The mesh of wave reinforcements 16 according to the invention is particularly visible in Figures 4 and 9.

Transverse ends 18 and longitudinal ends 20 of the wave reinforcement mesh 16 are defined. More specifically, the wave reinforcement mesh 16 comprises a first transverse end 18a and a second transverse end 18b, opposite one to the other along the transverse direction T of the corrugated plate, as well as a first longitudinal end 20a and a second longitudinal end 20b opposite each other along the longitudinal direction L of the corrugated plate. It will be understood that each of the longitudinal 20 and transverse 18 ends of the wave reinforcement mesh 16 is intended to be positioned in line with the edge 160 of the corrugated plate 100 when the latter is placed on the insulating mass covering the reinforcement mesh. wave 16, as mentioned above.

The wall 6 of the tank, and more precisely the corrugated membrane 11, is composed of a succession of corrugated plates 100, positioned on the insulating mass 8, with between the two, the wave reinforcements 10 forming the mesh of reinforcements of wave 16. Thus, it is understood that each corrugated plate 100 covers a mesh of wave reinforcements 16 arranged in the waves of the corrugated plate 100. The wave reinforcements 10 then make it possible to mechanically support the waves of the corrugated membrane 11 in case of deformation of the wall 6 of the tank.

FIGS. 5 to 8 illustrate at least one device 22 for holding the wave reinforcement mesh in position against the insulating block 8, the holding device 22 comprising at least a first support 24 carrying the wave reinforcement mesh, and a second support 26 carrying the first support 24 via a movable coupling member 28, said second support 26 being integral with the insulating mass 8.

According to the non-limiting example of the invention illustrated, the first support 24 of the holding device 22 is a temporary wave reinforcement 24, distinct from the wave reinforcements of the mesh of wave reinforcements and intended to be removed from the tank wall. It is understood in particular that the temporary wave reinforcement 24, forming the first support 24, is present on the insulating mass 8 only during the assembly operation of the corrugated plate 100, said temporary wave reinforcement being removed from the insulating mass 8 once said assembly has been completed.

It should be considered in the rest of the description and in order to facilitate understanding, that all of the longitudinal L, vertical V and transverse T directions of the holding device 22 are parallel to the directions previously associated with the corrugated plate.

The first support 24 extends along a direction of main elongation P, here longitudinal L, and is perforated along this same direction. As seen at , an upper part 30 and a lower part 32 of the first support 24 are then delimited, opposite one another in the vertical direction V of the holding device 22, the upper part 30 comprising a veil 34 for reinforcing said first support 24 and the lower part 32 comprising an opening 36 for receiving at least part of the wave reinforcement mesh, the receiving opening 36 extending in the longitudinal direction L of the first support 24.

More precisely, the lower part 32 of the temporary wave reinforcement 24 is capable of receiving part of one of the connecting members of the mesh of wave reinforcements, disposed at one of the longitudinal or transverse ends of said mesh of reinforcements of wave. In other words, the lower part 32 of the first support 24 receives part of one of the connecting members 14 of the mesh of wave reinforcements 16, as can be seen in FIGS. 9 and 10. The method of insertion of the connecting member in the first support will be detailed later in the following detailed description.

Furthermore, it is understood that when the connecting member is inserted into the first support 24 of the holding device 22, said connecting member, and therefore the mesh of wave reinforcements, is blocked against the insulating block in the vertical directions and transverse of the holding device 22. Such blocking in position of the wave reinforcement mesh is in particular carried out in cooperation with the second support 26 integral with the insulating mass 8.

As seen in Figures 5 or 6, the second support 26 of the holding device 22 is in the form of a metal sheet, here rectangular, a central portion 38 of which has been deformed into a U shape. The central portion 38 thus deformed U-shaped comprises at least one bottom wall 40 and two side walls 42 which extend from the bottom wall 40, perpendicular to the latter, so as to delimit a cavity 44 visible to the . It is understood that the two side walls 42 extend parallel and facing each other. At least one fixing wing 46 extends from one of the side walls 42, from an end opposite the bottom wall 40 of the central portion 38, and perpendicular to the said side wall 42. According to the example of the invention illustrated, two fixing wings 46 each extend from one of the side walls 42 of the central portion 38 of the second support 26, perpendicular to the said side walls 42 and opposite the cavity 44 delimited by the central portion 38 It is then understood that the bottom wall 40 and the fixing flanges 46 each extend in planes parallel to each other.

At least one of the fixing wings 46 of the second support 26 comprises at least one fixing hole 48 of the second support 26 to the insulating block 8. More specifically, each of the fixing wings 46 comprises two fixing holes 48 making it possible to secure the second support 26 to the insulating block 8, for example by means of screws or threaded studs with nuts adapted to pass through the fixing holes 48 and to be housed in the insulating block 8. According to an advantageous configuration of the second support 26, the fixing holes 48 are formed on the fixing flanges 46 in such a way that they are arranged facing fixing holes, not shown, already formed on the insulating mass 8.

As mentioned above, the second support 26 is intended to carry the first support 24, said first support 24 being adapted to be housed at least partly in the cavity 44 of the second support 26 as is particularly visible at the . It is then understood that the bottom wall 40 and the side walls 42 of the central portion 38 of the second support 26 have dimensions making it possible to delimit the cavity 44 to define a space compatible with the insertion of the first support 24 into said cavity 44 In other words, the central portion 38 of the second support 26 and the first support 24 have dimensions, longitudinal, transverse and vertical, compatible on the one hand for the insertion of the first support 24 in the cavity 44 and on the other hand for its movement in longitudinal translation in the cavity 44 of the second support 26. There is therefore a clearance between the first support 24, the bottom wall 40 and the side walls 42 of the central portion 38 of the second support 26.

The holding device 22 also comprises at least one adjustment means 50 of the first support 24 relative to the second support 26 comprising at least two first adjustment orifices 52 on one of the first support 24 or of the second support 26 and at least one second adjustment hole 54 on the other of the second support 26 or the first support 24.

According to the example shown in , the first bracket 24 includes two first adjustment holes 52 and the second bracket 26 includes three second adjustment holes 54. More specifically, the first two adjustment holes 52 of the first bracket 24 are aligned along an axis parallel to the longitudinal direction L of the holding device 22 and are formed on a crest 56 of the upper part 30 of the said first support 24 such that the said first adjustment orifices 52 are arranged in line with the bottom wall 40 of the central portion 38 of the second support 26, when the temporary wave reinforcement 24 is inserted into the cavity 44.

Furthermore, the three second adjustment orifices 54 of the second support 26 are aligned along an axis parallel to the longitudinal direction L of the first support 24 and are formed on the bottom wall 40 of the central portion 38. that thus at least one of the first two adjustment orifices 52 of the first support 24 is able to face at least one of the three second adjustment orifices 54 of the second support 26 when the first support 24 is housed in the cavity 44 of the second support 26. The longitudinal translation of the first support 24 in the cavity 44 of the second support 26 then makes it possible to adjust the position of the first support 24 relative to the second support 26 by positioning one of the first adjustment orifices 52 facing one of the second adjustment holes 54.

In order to block the first support 24 in position with respect to the second support 26, the holding device 22 comprises the movable coupling member 28. By movable is meant the fact that the movable coupling member 28 is able to secure and separate from the first support 24 and the second support 26 without breaking its material. The movable coupling member 28 is in particular able to pass through one of the first adjustment orifices 52 facing one of the second adjustment orifices 54 respectively of the first support 24 and of the second support 26 in order to block their position relative to each other. The movable coupling member 28 may for example be a threaded cylinder, a key or even a magnetic cylinder capable of being magnetized with the material of the first support 24 and/or of the second support 26, so that it blocks the first support 24 in position with respect to the second support 26. The movable coupling member 28 is thus removable in that it is capable of joining and uncoupling the first support 24 and the second support 26 without breaking its matter.

According to another embodiment, not shown, of the movable coupling member, used in the case where the first support does not comprise first adjustment orifices, the movable coupling member may comprise the threaded cylinder able to be screwed into the second support and an elastically deformable pad, for example made of rubber, arranged at a free end of the threaded cylinder, capable of exerting pressure against the first support, in particular at the level of its crest, pressing said first support against the wall of tank when screwing the threaded cylinder into the second support.

It is understood that the movable coupling member 28 makes it possible on the one hand to block the position of the first support 24 with respect to the second support 26, and on the other hand participates in the adjustment of the position of the first support 24 with respect to to the second support 26 in cooperation with the adjustment means 50 described previously. Advantage is also taken of the adjustment means 50 and of the movable coupling member 28 in that they allow the holding device 22 to adapt to wave reinforcement meshes of different structure and dimensions. , that is to say to meshes of wave reinforcements arranged on different parts of the vessel wall or of different dimensions.

According to another example of the invention visible in , the holding device 22 comprises a third support 58. It should then be considered that in this non-limiting example of the invention, the holding device 22 comprises the first support and the second support as they have been described above. The third support 58 of the holding device 22, according to this non-limiting example of the invention, has identical structural characteristics to the second support of said holding device 22. In other words, the third support 58 is presented as a deformed sheet with a reception space 60 similar to the cavity of the second support and fixing walls 59 to the insulating block 8.

As seen at the , the third support 58 participates in maintaining the mesh of wave reinforcements 16 in position in cooperation with the first support and the second support. The third support 58 is in particular capable of receiving in its reception space 60 a part of the mesh of wave reinforcements 16. More precisely, the third support 58 is capable of receiving one of the wave reinforcements 10 of the mesh of reinforcements 16 arranged at one of the longitudinal 20 or transverse 18 ends of said mesh of wave reinforcements 16, and in particular disposed at a longitudinal 20 or transverse 18 end of the mesh of wave reinforcements 16 distinct from the longitudinal end 20 or transverse 18 of the mesh of wave reinforcements 16 held by the first support and the second support. According to an example of the invention, the first support and the second support are arranged at the first longitudinal end of the wave reinforcement mesh 16, while the third support 58 is arranged at the second longitudinal end of the wave reinforcement mesh. wave 16.

Advantage is taken of such a third support 58 due to the fact that it ensures optimal maintenance of the wave reinforcement mesh 16 against the insulating block 8, in particular when said wave reinforcement mesh 16 is placed against one of the parts of the tank wall 6 inclined inwardly of said tank. Thus, the placement of the third support 58 longitudinally opposite the first support and the second support with respect to the mesh of wave reinforcements 16 makes it possible to avoid tilting of said mesh of wave reinforcements 16 when the latter is arranged against the part of the wall 6 of the tank inclined towards the inside of said tank.

It is understood from the holding device 22 as just described, that it makes it possible to hold the mesh of corrugation reinforcements 16 in position on the insulating mass 8 during assembly of the vessel wall, in particular by cooperation between at least one of the connecting members on the periphery of said wave reinforcement mesh and the first support 24 of the holding device 22, itself held against the insulating mass 8 by means of the second support 26 of the holding device 22. It should also be considered that several holding devices 22 such as they have just been described can be arranged against the insulating block 8 in order to increase the holding of the mesh of wave reinforcements 16 against the insulating block 8 during the vessel wall assembly process.

The method of mounting the vessel wall will now be described in relation to Figures 9 and 10.

The method comprises at least a first step during which the second support 26 of the holding device 22 is secured to the insulating block 8 by means of the fixing holes formed on each of the two fixing flanges 46 of the second support 26. second step, the first support 24 is secured to the second support 26 by means of the movable coupling member 28 and the adjustment means. During this second step, the position of the first support 24 can then be adjusted with respect to the second support 26 in the longitudinal direction L of the holding device 22. The first support 24 is then made to slide in the cavity of the second support 26 in order to arrange one of the first adjustment orifices opposite one of the second adjustment orifices respectively of the first support 24 and of the second support 26, then the movable coupling member 28 is adjusted through said adjustment chosen in order to block the first support 24 in position with respect to the second support 26.

Once the first support 24 has been blocked and possibly adjusted in position with respect to the second support 26, in a third step the mesh of wave reinforcements 16 is positioned on the first support 24. More precisely, one of the connecting members 14 disposed at one of the longitudinal 20 or transverse 18 ends of the mesh of wave reinforcements 16, here the first longitudinal end 20a, in the reception opening of the first support 24, here in the form of the reinforcement d temporary wave 24 as mentioned above. It is then understood that a preliminary step of mounting the mesh of wave reinforcements 16 is recommended prior to the third step, this step of mounting the mesh of wave reinforcements 16 being able to be carried out either before the first step or after the first step of the process.

In the case where the mesh of wave reinforcements 16 must be arranged against a part of the insulating block 8 which is inclined towards the inside of the tank, at a stage subsequent to the third stage, the third support 58 of the device is secured support 22 on the insulating mass 8 by blocking the mesh of wave reinforcements 16. More particularly, the third support 58 is secured to the insulating mass 8 in such a way that it blocks the second longitudinal end 20b of the mesh of reinforcements of corrugation 16. This ensures optimum retention of the mesh of corrugation reinforcements 16 against the insulating mass 8 during assembly of the vessel wall.

Once the third step has been carried out and possibly the step of securing the third support 58 implemented, at a later step, the corrugated plate 100 is placed against the insulating block 8 so that the mesh of wave reinforcements 16 is housed in the series of waves of said corrugated plate 100, then said corrugated plate 100 is fixed on the insulating block 8. According to one effect of the invention, the mesh of wave reinforcements 16 being held by the holding device 22 against the insulating block 16, the precise adjustment in position of the corrugated plate 100 against the insulating block 16 by a technician is facilitated.

Subsequently, at a step subsequent to the step of installing the corrugated plate 100 against the insulating block 16, at least the first support 24 is separated from the second support 26 of the holding device 22 by removing the movable coupling 28, then at least the first support 24 is removed from the vessel wall. Subsequently, the second support 26 is also removed from the vessel wall and more precisely from the insulating mass 8. It is then understood that the holding device 22 can be reused in order to hold other meshes of wave reinforcements of the tank wall during assembly of the latter.

The invention as it has just been described cannot however be limited to the means and configurations exclusively described and illustrated, and also applies to all means or configurations, equivalents and to any combination of such means or configurations.

Claims (14)

Method for mounting a wall (6) of a tank (2) for a floating structure (1) for storing and/or transporting a liquid cargo, the wall (6) of a tank (2) comprising at least a insulation (8), at least one corrugated plate (100) comprising series of waves (110, 120), the wall (6) comprising a plurality of wave reinforcements (10) arranged in a mesh of wave reinforcements (16), the mesh of wave reinforcements (16) being arranged between the corrugated plate (100) and the insulating mass (8) by being housed in the series of waves (110, 120) of the corrugated plate (100 ), the assembly method using a device for holding (22) in position the mesh of wave reinforcements (16) against the insulating mass (8), the holding device (22) comprising at least a first support (24) carrying the mesh of wave reinforcements (16) and a second support (26) carrying the first support (24) via a movable coupling member (28), a process during which, in a first step, the second support (26) on the insulating block (8), in a second step the first support (24) is secured to the second support (26) by means of the movable coupling member (28), then in a third step the mesh of wave reinforcements (16) is positioned on the first support (24). Mounting method according to the preceding claim, during which during the second step, the position of the first support (24) is adjusted with respect to the second support (26) along a main axis of elongation of the first support (24). Mounting method according to claim 2, during which during the second step, the position of the first support (24) is adjusted with respect to the second support (26) by means of the movable coupling member (28). Mounting method according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the holding device (22) comprises a third support (58), a method during which, at a step subsequent to the third step, the third support (58) is secured on the insulating mass (8) by blocking the mesh of wave reinforcements (16). Mounting method according to any one of the preceding claims, during which in a step subsequent to the third step, the corrugated plate (100) is placed against the insulating block (8) in such a way that the mesh of corrugated reinforcements (16) is housed in the series of waves (110, 120) of said corrugated plate (100), then said corrugated plate (100) is fixed on the insulating mass (8). Mounting method according to the preceding claim, during which, at a step subsequent to the step of installing the corrugated plate (100) against the insulating block (8), at least the first support (24) is separated from the second support (26) of the holding device (22) by removing the movable coupling member (28), then at least the first support (24) is removed from the wall (6) of the tank (2). Wall (6) of tank (2) for a floating structure (1) for storing and/or transporting a liquid cargo, the wall (6) of tank (2) comprising at least one insulating block (8), at at least one corrugated plate (100) comprising series of waves (110, 120), the wall (6) comprising a plurality of corrugated reinforcements (10) arranged in a mesh of corrugated reinforcements (16), the mesh wave reinforcements (16) being arranged between the corrugated plate (100) and the insulating mass (8) by being housed in the series of waves (110, 120) of the corrugated plate (100), the wall (6 ) of the tank (2) being characterized in that it comprises at least one holding device (22) in position of the mesh of wave reinforcements (16) against the insulating block (8), the holding device (22) comprising at least a first support (24) carrying the wave reinforcement mesh (16) and a second support (26) carrying the first support (24) via a movable coupling member (28), the second support (26 ) being attached to the massif insulation (8). Wall (6) of vessel (2) according to the preceding claim, in which the first support (24) is a temporary wave reinforcement (24), distinct from the wave reinforcements (10) of the mesh of wave reinforcements ( 16) and intended to be removed from the wall (6) of the tank (2). Wall (6) of tank (2) according to one of Claims 7 or 8, in which the holding device (22) comprises means for adjusting (50) the first support (24) with respect to the second support (26 ) comprising at least two first adjustment holes (52) on one of the first support (24) or the second support (26) and at least one second adjustment hole (54) on the other first support (24 ) or second support (26). Wall (6) of vessel (2) according to any one of Claims 7 to 9, in which the holding device (22) comprises a third support (58) for locking in position the mesh of wave reinforcements (16) , the third support (58) being secured to the insulating block (16). Wall (6) of vessel (2) according to any one of Claims 7 to 10, in which the holding device (22) is capable of locking the mesh of wave reinforcements (16) in position in at least two directions perpendicular to the main elongation axis of the first support (24). Wall (6) of vessel (2) according to any one of Claims 7 to 11, in which the first support (24) comprises at least one reception opening (36) able to house at least a part of the mesh of reinforcements d wave (16). Wall (6) of tank (2) according to any one of Claims 7 to 12, in which the movable coupling member (28) is a key or a part screwed into the first support (24) and the second support (26) or a system for pressurizing the first support (24) against the wall (6) of the tank (2). Tank (2) of a floating structure (1) for the transport and/or storage of a liquid cargo, comprising at least one wall (6) of the tank (2) mounted according to any one of Claims 1 to 6, or at least one wall (6) of tank (2) according to any one of Claims 7 to 12.