GB2076748A - Submersible Handling Equipment - Google Patents
Submersible Handling Equipment Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- GB2076748A GB2076748A GB8017773A GB8017773A GB2076748A GB 2076748 A GB2076748 A GB 2076748A GB 8017773 A GB8017773 A GB 8017773A GB 8017773 A GB8017773 A GB 8017773A GB 2076748 A GB2076748 A GB 2076748A
- Authority
- GB
- United Kingdom
- Prior art keywords
- cage structure
- handling apparatus
- underwater vessel
- vessel
- underwater
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Withdrawn
Links
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B63—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; RELATED EQUIPMENT
- B63B—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; EQUIPMENT FOR SHIPPING
- B63B27/00—Arrangement of ship-based loading or unloading equipment for cargo or passengers
- B63B27/36—Arrangement of ship-based loading or unloading equipment for floating cargo
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B63—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; RELATED EQUIPMENT
- B63C—LAUNCHING, HAULING-OUT, OR DRY-DOCKING OF VESSELS; LIFE-SAVING IN WATER; EQUIPMENT FOR DWELLING OR WORKING UNDER WATER; MEANS FOR SALVAGING OR SEARCHING FOR UNDERWATER OBJECTS
- B63C11/00—Equipment for dwelling or working underwater; Means for searching for underwater objects
- B63C11/34—Diving chambers with mechanical link, e.g. cable, to a base
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B66—HOISTING; LIFTING; HAULING
- B66C—CRANES; LOAD-ENGAGING ELEMENTS OR DEVICES FOR CRANES, CAPSTANS, WINCHES, OR TACKLES
- B66C13/00—Other constructional features or details
- B66C13/02—Devices for facilitating retrieval of floating objects, e.g. for recovering crafts from water
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Ocean & Marine Engineering (AREA)
- Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
- Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
- Earth Drilling (AREA)
- Arc Welding In General (AREA)
- Physical Or Chemical Processes And Apparatus (AREA)
- Chemical Treatment Of Metals (AREA)
Abstract
Handling apparatus for moving an underwater vessel (2) between the deck (15) of a sea going vessel (16) and the water comprises a cage structure (1) arranged to accommodate the underwater vessel. A locking device (9) secures the underwater vessel within the cage structure and a crane (20) is arranged to lower the cage structure through the air/water interface into relatively calm water below a wave affected zone. <IMAGE>
Description
SPECIFICATION
Submersible Handling Equipment
Technical Field of the Invention
This invention relates to submersible handling equipment such as can be used to transfer a submersible vessel from a main structure, such as a mothership, to the water below a wave affected zone.
When a submersible vessel such as a diving bell or a self propelled underwater vessel has to pass through the air/water interface there is a considerabie risk that it will be damaged if the wave motion or swell exceeds a minimum safe condition. With the more fragile submersible vessels a wave motion of two or three metres may be sufficient to cause damage, and therefore such vessels can only be launched in reasonably calm water.
An object of this invention is to provide submersible handling equipment which to some extent alleviates this situation.
Disclosure of the Invention
Handling apparatus for moving an underwater vessel between a main structure and the water, comprises a cage structure arranged to accommodate the underwater vessel, means for securing the underwater vessel within the cage structure, and means for lowering the cage structure through the air/water interface into relatively calm water below a wave affected zone and for returning the cage structure to the main structure.
Preferably the cage structure has a shape which substantially conforms to and encloses the top, side and end surfaces of the submersible vessel.
The cage structure may be a substantially rectangular construction and may be formed by vertically and horizontally disposed members.
Conveniently a lower portion of the cage structure is open and provides an entrance through which the underwater vessel can enter the cage structure.
The entrance through which the underwater vessel enters the cage structure may be a frame shaped to facilitate entry of the underwater vessel.
The cage structure, which may be formed from metal tubes and plates, is provided with strong points at positions at which the underwater vessel is secured and the lowering means is attached.
Weights may be secured to suitable positions on the cage structure.
The means for securing the underwater vessel within the cage structure may comprise a locking device for securing the cage structure to a tethering cable of the underwater vessel.
The means for securing the underwater vessel within the cage structure may be formed by a locking device located in an upper part of the cage structure.
The cage structure may be provided with means for inhibiting movement in a horizontal direction while being lowered through the air/water interface.
The means for lowering the cage structure may comprise a crane mounted on the main structure, which may be a sea-going vessel.
The cage structure and the underwater vessel may be arranged to be lowered by respective winding arrangements which can be operated in unison.
An embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings.
Brief Description of the Drawings
Figure 1 is a schematic elevation of submersible handling equipment in accordance with the invention; and
Figure 2 is a schematic perspective view of a cage structure shown in Figure 1.
Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention
Referring to the drawings, the submersible handling equipment comprises a cage structure 1 arranged to accommodate an underwater vessel 2 such as a diving bell or a self-propelled submersible vessel. The cage structure 1 is a substantially rectangular construction formed by vertically disposed members 3 and horizontally disposed members 4 fastened together to form a rectangular grid. Typically, the members 3 and 4 are formed by tubes and plates of steel and are welded or bolted together at their intersections.
The lower ends of the vertically members 3 diverge to provide an entrance'5 to the cage structure 1 through which the underwater vessel 2 is admitted to the interior. The entrance 5 is surrounded by a robust, substantially rectangular, frame 6 which assists in maintaining the structure rigid. Weights 7 are attached to the frame 6 at suitably spaced positions to balance the cage structure 1.
Supported beneath the upper surface 8 of the cage structure 1 is a locking device 9 by means of which the under-water vessel 2 can be secured within the cage structure 1. The locking device 9 comprises a pair of jaws 10 and 11 which can be closed together to clamp onto an end fitting of a tethering cable 12 of the underwater vessel 2.
The tethering cable 12 passes round a pulley 13 and is arranged to be wound on a winch drum 14 mounted on the deck 1 5 of a sea going vessel 16.
The winch drum 14 is arranged to raise and lower the underwater vessel 2 so that it can enter and leave the cage structure 1 through the entrance 5.
Also secured to the upper surface 8 of the cage structure 1 is a yoke 1 7 by means of which the cage structure 1 can be raised and lowered. A hook 18 on the end of a handling cable 19 is attached to the yoke 1 8 so that the cage structure 1 can be raised and lowered by a crane 20 on the deck 15 of the vessel 16. The cage structure 1 is provided with an arrangement (not shown) for inhibiting movement in a horizontal direction while the cage structure is being raised or lowered through the air/water interface 23. Such
an arrangement may include wheels which
engage tracks on the side of the sea going vessel 1 6 or suitable guide wires attached to the cage
structure 1.
The submersible handling equipment in
accordance with the invention operates in the
manner described below to transfer an
underwater vessel from 2 the deck 1 5 of a sea
going vessel 1 6 through the air/water interface
23 into relatively calm water 25 below a wave
effected zone 24. The underwater vessel 2 is first
positioned on the deck 15 of the vessel 16 by
attaching the tethering cable 12 to the
underwater vessel and winding the winch drum
14 to lower the underwater vessel 2 on to the
deck 1 5 in the selected position. The cage
structure 1 is then positioned over the underwater
vessel 2 by lowering the cage structure 1 by
means of the crane 20. The open entrance 5 of
the cage structure 1 permits the underwater
vessel to pass into the interior of the cage
structure 1.The jaws 10 and 11 of the locking
device 9 are then clamped to the tethering cable
12 to secure the underwater vessel 1 within the
cage structure 1.
The crane 20 and the winch drum 14 are then
operated in unison so that the cage structure 1
and underwater vessel 2 are swung from the deck
and positioned above the air/water interface 23.
The cables 12 and 19 are then lowered
simultaneously by means of respective winding
drums 14 and 22 so that the underwater vessel 2
and the cage structure 1 are lowered together and
pass through the air/water interface 23 and the
wave affected zone 24 to the relatively calm
water 25. The cage structure 1 protects the
underwater vessel 2 as it passes through the
air/water interface 23 and the wave affected zone
24.
Once the cage structure 1 has reached the
relatively calm water 25 the jaws 10 and 11 of
the locking device 9 may be released and the
winding drum 14 used to lower the underwater
vessel 2 so that it passes out of the entrance 5 to
a location below the cage structure 1.
The underwater vessel is returned to the
protection of the cage structure 1 by operating
the winding drum 14 until the underwater vessel
2 passes through the entrance 5 into the interior
of the cage structure 1. The jaws 10 and 11 of the
locking device 9 are then operated so that they
are clamped to the cable 12 thus securing the
underwater vessel 2 within the cage structure 1.
The cage structure 1 and the underwater vessel 2
are then raised together by operating the winding
drums 14 and 22 in unison so that they pass through the wave effected zone 24 and the
air/water interface 23. The cage structure 1 and
underwater vessel 2 can then be swung onto the
deck 15 of the vessel 16. The jaws 10 and 11 of the locking device 9 are then released and the cage removed from the underwater vessel 2.
While the cage structure 1 illustrated in Figure 2 of the drawing is substantially rectangular in shape, since that is the most suitable shape for the underwater vessel 2 shown, it will be appreciated that it could be any other shape which conforms to and encloses the top, side and end surfaces of a submersible vessel. Moreover the underwater vessel may be a self propelled vessel in which case arrangements would be provided for releasing the underwater vessel from the cable 1 2 so that it can leave the cage structure 1 through the entrance 5 and proceed under its own power. While the sea going vessel 16 has been described as a mothership, it may be any suitable main structure, for example a catamaran, a semi-submersible vessel such as an oil rig, or any other form of off-shore station. The lifting devices used to transfer the cage structure 1 and the underwater vessel 2 between the deck 15 of the vessel 1 6 and the water maybe any suitable type of derrick or "A" frame mounted on the deck of the main structure.
Claims (15)
1. Handling apparatus for moving an underwater vessel between a main structure and the water, comprising a cage structure arranged to accommodate the underwater vessel, means for securing the underwater vessel within the cage structure, and means for lowering the cage structure through the air/water interface into relatively calm water below a wave affected zone and for returning the cage structure to the main structure.
2. Handling apparatus as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the cage structure has a shape which substantially conforms to and encloses the top, side and end surfaces of the submersible vessel.
3. Handling apparatus as claimed in Claim 1 or
Claim 2, wherein the cage structure is a substantially rectangular construction and is formed by vertically and horizontally disposed members.
4. Handling apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein a lower portion of the cage structure is open and provides an entrance through which the underwater vessel can enter the cage structure.
5. Handling apparatus as claimed in Claim 4, wherein an entrance through which the underwater vessel enters the cage structure is a frame shaped to facilitate entry of the underwater vessel.
6. Handling apparatus as claimed in any
preceding claim, wherein the cage structure is formed from metal tubes and plates and is
provided with strong points at positions at which the underwater vessel is secured and the lowering
means is attached.
7. Handling apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein weights are secured to suitable positions on the cage structure.
8. Handling apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the means for securing the underwater vessel within the cage structure comprises a locking device for securing the cage structure to a tethering cable of the underwater vessel.
9. Handling apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the means for securing the underwater vessel within the cage structure comprises a locking device located in an upper part of the cage structure.
10. Handling apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the means for lowering the cage structure comprises a crane mounted on the main structure.
11. Handling apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the main structure comprises a sea-going vessel.
12. Handling apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the cage structure is provided with means for inhibiting movement in a horizontal direction while being lowered through the air/water interface.
13. Handling apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the underwater vessel is a diving bell.
14. Handling apparatus as claimed in any one of Ciaims 1 to 12, wherein the underwater vessel is self-propelled.
15. Handling apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein cage structure and the underwater vessel are arranged to be lowered by respective winding arrangements which can be operated in unison.
1 6. Handling apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
Priority Applications (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB8017773A GB2076748A (en) | 1980-05-30 | 1980-05-30 | Submersible Handling Equipment |
| NO811829A NO811829L (en) | 1980-05-30 | 1981-05-29 | A device for AA will carry a submersible vessel into the water |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB8017773A GB2076748A (en) | 1980-05-30 | 1980-05-30 | Submersible Handling Equipment |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| GB2076748A true GB2076748A (en) | 1981-12-09 |
Family
ID=10513729
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB8017773A Withdrawn GB2076748A (en) | 1980-05-30 | 1980-05-30 | Submersible Handling Equipment |
Country Status (2)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| GB (1) | GB2076748A (en) |
| NO (1) | NO811829L (en) |
Cited By (13)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EP0169634A1 (en) * | 1984-06-16 | 1986-01-29 | Stc Plc | Launching and recovery of tethered controlled submarine vehicles |
| EP0345157A1 (en) * | 1988-06-02 | 1989-12-06 | ETAT-FRANCAIS représenté par le DELEGUE GENERAL POUR L'ARMEMENT (DPAG) | Device for fastening a load to a floating structure |
| GB2346606A (en) * | 1999-02-15 | 2000-08-16 | Caley Ocean Systems | Launch and recovery apparatus and method |
| EP1670674A2 (en) * | 2003-07-03 | 2006-06-21 | Advanced Marine Support Technology, Inc. | Marine payload handling craft and system |
| WO2008092406A1 (en) * | 2007-01-25 | 2008-08-07 | Zulin You | A multi-functional split sightseeing submarine |
| NO20073443L (en) * | 2007-07-05 | 2009-01-06 | Nat Oilwell Norway As | Procedure for hoisting a package at sea |
| EP2468620A1 (en) * | 2010-12-23 | 2012-06-27 | Eca | Device for launching and recovering a marine craft, and associated launch and recovery method. |
| US8215889B2 (en) * | 2008-10-24 | 2012-07-10 | Oceaneering International, Inc. | System and method for high current recovery cursor |
| WO2015147647A1 (en) * | 2014-03-28 | 2015-10-01 | Bluemarine Offshore Yard Service B.V. | Method for lowering a subsea structure having a substantially flat support base into the water through the splash zone |
| GB2531578A (en) * | 2014-10-22 | 2016-04-27 | Ennsub Ltd | Latch Assembly |
| CN106218837A (en) * | 2016-08-25 | 2016-12-14 | 江苏科技大学 | The transportation system under water that a kind of hermetic type can accurately be thrown in |
| CN107140160A (en) * | 2017-05-02 | 2017-09-08 | 深圳市杉叶实业有限公司 | A kind of couple of cage diver enters outlet system |
| CN111532401A (en) * | 2020-04-27 | 2020-08-14 | 苏州方海琴科智能装备科技有限公司 | Underwater carrying device |
-
1980
- 1980-05-30 GB GB8017773A patent/GB2076748A/en not_active Withdrawn
-
1981
- 1981-05-29 NO NO811829A patent/NO811829L/en unknown
Cited By (19)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EP0169634A1 (en) * | 1984-06-16 | 1986-01-29 | Stc Plc | Launching and recovery of tethered controlled submarine vehicles |
| EP0345157A1 (en) * | 1988-06-02 | 1989-12-06 | ETAT-FRANCAIS représenté par le DELEGUE GENERAL POUR L'ARMEMENT (DPAG) | Device for fastening a load to a floating structure |
| FR2632269A1 (en) * | 1988-06-02 | 1989-12-08 | France Etat Armement | DEVICE FOR BONDING A LOAD TO A BUILDING |
| GB2346606A (en) * | 1999-02-15 | 2000-08-16 | Caley Ocean Systems | Launch and recovery apparatus and method |
| EP1670674A2 (en) * | 2003-07-03 | 2006-06-21 | Advanced Marine Support Technology, Inc. | Marine payload handling craft and system |
| EP1670674A4 (en) * | 2003-07-03 | 2011-07-20 | Advanced Maritime Support Technology Inc | Marine payload handling craft and system |
| WO2008092406A1 (en) * | 2007-01-25 | 2008-08-07 | Zulin You | A multi-functional split sightseeing submarine |
| NO20073443L (en) * | 2007-07-05 | 2009-01-06 | Nat Oilwell Norway As | Procedure for hoisting a package at sea |
| US8215889B2 (en) * | 2008-10-24 | 2012-07-10 | Oceaneering International, Inc. | System and method for high current recovery cursor |
| EP2468620A1 (en) * | 2010-12-23 | 2012-06-27 | Eca | Device for launching and recovering a marine craft, and associated launch and recovery method. |
| FR2969574A1 (en) * | 2010-12-23 | 2012-06-29 | Eca | DEVICE FOR BRIDGING AND RECOVERING A MARINE MACHINE, AND METHOD FOR LAUNCHING AND RECOVERING. |
| WO2015147647A1 (en) * | 2014-03-28 | 2015-10-01 | Bluemarine Offshore Yard Service B.V. | Method for lowering a subsea structure having a substantially flat support base into the water through the splash zone |
| NL2012527A (en) * | 2014-03-28 | 2016-01-08 | Bluemarine Offshore Yard Service Bv | Method for lowering a subsea structure having a substantially flat support base into the water through the splash zone. |
| US10239734B2 (en) | 2014-03-28 | 2019-03-26 | Bluemarine Offshore Yard Service B.V. | Method for lowering a subsea structure having a substantially flat support base into the water through the splash zone |
| GB2531578A (en) * | 2014-10-22 | 2016-04-27 | Ennsub Ltd | Latch Assembly |
| GB2531578B (en) * | 2014-10-22 | 2017-03-08 | Ennsub Ltd | Latch Assembly |
| CN106218837A (en) * | 2016-08-25 | 2016-12-14 | 江苏科技大学 | The transportation system under water that a kind of hermetic type can accurately be thrown in |
| CN107140160A (en) * | 2017-05-02 | 2017-09-08 | 深圳市杉叶实业有限公司 | A kind of couple of cage diver enters outlet system |
| CN111532401A (en) * | 2020-04-27 | 2020-08-14 | 苏州方海琴科智能装备科技有限公司 | Underwater carrying device |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| NO811829L (en) | 1981-12-01 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| WAP | Application withdrawn, taken to be withdrawn or refused ** after publication under section 16(1) |