GB2370548A

GB2370548A - Retractable shelter for a helicopter

Info

Publication number: GB2370548A
Application number: GB0127011A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Gordon Pearson Campion
Original assignee: MACTAGGART SCOTT
Current assignee: MACTAGGART SCOTT
Priority date: 2000-11-09
Filing date: 2001-11-09
Publication date: 2002-07-03
Also published as: GB0127011D0; GB0027343D0

Abstract

A shelter for a helicopter 2 on a helicopter deck 6 comprises cover members 8 which can be retracted to allow take off and landing or extended to provide protection from the elements. The covers 8 may comprise flexible sheeting and may be supported by support members (24, 25 figure 2) which are arranged to extend and retract in a scissor-like manner. The covers 8 may also be adapted for storage on a roller ( 32 figure 3 ) located below the surface of the deck. The shelter may be situated on a turntable 4 which forms part of the deck 6 and which allows the helicopter 2 to be rotated to the desired position for take-off. Poles 9 may be provided to support the stationary rotor blades, which extend over and beyond the covers 8.

Description

AIRCRAFT PROTECTION

The present invention relates to an apparatus for providing shelter for an aircraft from the elements. In particular, but not exclusively, the apparatus is intended to provide protection for a helicopter based at an offshore location, most particularly an oil or gas rig or platform.

At present most offshore platforms are equipped with means for allowing a helicopter to land and take-off on and from the rig, known as a helideck, thus allowing the transport of personnel and cargo to and from the rig by helicopter. The period of time that helicopters spend on the helideck is generally very short, typically being only the time required to unload and reload the helicopter.

In some jurisdictions it is a requirement that each rig has a safety boat on standby alongside in case of an emergency, for use in rig evacuation and the like.

It has been proposed that changes be made regarding the present use of standby vessels, and to instead utilise rig-based boats in combination with helicopters on permanent standby at strategic offshore locations that would enable safety coverage of several rigs or platforms by a single helicopter, within a set flying radius.

It is among the objectives of embodiments of the present invention to facilitate implementation of such changes.

According to a first aspect of the present invention

there is provided an apparatus for use in sheltering a helicopter, the apparatus comprising a cover member adapted for location on a helideck in an offshore location, the cover member being movable between a retracted position, permitting take off and landing of a helicopter, and an extended position, in which the cover member is adapted to provide protection for the helicopter on the helideck.

According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of providing protection for a helicopter, the method comprising: providing a cover member for a helicopter at a helideck in an offshore location ; retracting the cover member to allow the take off and landing of a helicopter ; and extending the cover member to provide protection for a helicopter on the helideck.

In use, the apparatus provides shelter and protection for a helicopter from wind and wind borne sea spray and also provides a sheltered working area such that maintenance and safety checks may be performed. The apparatus is primarily intended for use on a platform, rig or vessel which is intended to remain substantially stationary for extended periods. However, this aspect of the invention may also be utilised on the helicopter decks of ships, particularly those having no provision for interior storage of aircraft, such as large pleasure boats, or indeed for vessels in which it is-wished to temporarilycarry aircraft which cannot be accommodated within the

vessels existing hangers.

Preferably, the apparatus is arranged such that it may be retracted and stowed in situ, to allow the safe and rapid deployment of a helicopter. This is desirable as the time taken to retract the cover member will be accountable and impacts on the effective radius of cover provided by the helicopter.

Preferably, the apparatus is constructed such that in its retracted position the cover member does not extend above the surface of the helideck, and preferably has a upper portion which lies flush with the deck, such that the retracted cover member does not create a hazard or obstruction.

Preferably, the cover member comprises flexible sheeting, the sheeting being supported by movable structural members. Alternatively, the cover member may comprise one or more rigid sheets or members, or be formed of a plurality of hinged sheets or members.

Conveniently, means is provided for holding fast said movable structural members in the extended position such that the members form a substantially rigid structure. Such means could be in the form of locking bolts, latch mechanisms and the like.

Preferably, a plurality of said movable structural members are arranged such that the members form a scissortype arrangement for supporting the cover member. This arrangement provides structural rigidity for the apparatuswhen extended whilst being able to be retracted into a

relatively small volume.

Preferably, in the extended configuration the cover member defines a curtain for extending around an aircraft. As the curtain does not extend over the aircraft, the cover member has a relatively low profile, which is useful in light of the extreme weather conditions that are likely to be experienced, while still protecting the aircraft from wind and wind borne sea spray and also providing a sheltered working area such that maintenance and safety checks may be performed.

Conveniently, when formed of a flexible material, the cover member is stored on a roller located below the surface of the helideck, thus keeping the flexible material stored in a small volume and providing for rapid deployment and retraction of the cover member.

Conveniently the apparatus comprises a plurality of base units each capable of accommodating a retractable cover member and a plurality of movable structural members associated therewith.

Preferably, said apparatus is mounted on a turntable adapted for location on a helideck, the turntable being rotatable to allow a helicopter to land into the wind, within the apparatus, and subsequently take off into the wind.

Another aspect of the present invention relates to the provision of a turntable on a helideck at an offshore location, such that the turntable-may be orientated toallow take-off of a helicopter from the helideck in a

desired direction.

Thus, in use, this aspect of the invention allows a helicopter to be positioned on a helideck such that the helicopter faces into the wind, this being the preferred orientation when taking-off. In the preferred application of the aspects of the present invention, the helicopter may be at rest on the helideck for a relatively long period, and changes in wind direction following the landing of the helicopter (which will typically take place with the helicopter facing into the wind) may raise the need for a change in orientation of the helicopter for take-off.

This requirement for a helicopter to take off into the wind is not an issue for ship-based helicopters as, if required, the ship may be turned into the wind.

Furthermore, naval vessels adapted for carrying helicopters are generally equipped with apparatus suitable for rotating and then moving helicopters which have landed on the vessel's deck into a hanger.

Preferably, the turntable is rotatable through 360 degrees.

These and other aspects of the present invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a helicopter on a rotary turntable incorporating apparatus for use in sheltering a helicopter in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, being shown with the cover membersof the apparatus in the extended configuration;

Figure 2 is a front view of a cover member of the apparatus of Figure 1, the cover member being shown in the extended position; Figure 3 is an enlarged sectional view of the cover member corresponding to a section on Figure 2, but the with cover member being shown in the stowed configuration; and Figure 4 is a perspective view the cover member of Figure 2.

Figure 1 of the drawings shows a helicopter 2 at rest on a turntable 4 mounted on a helideck 6 of an offshore platform. The turntable 4 is rotatable about a central vertical axis by means of an appropriate drive and control arrangement. Mounted in the turntable 4 and surrounding the helicopter 2 are four cover members 8 forming part of an apparatus 10 for use in sheltering an aircraft in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

The cover members 8 are shown in an extended configuration, such that the cover members 8 form a curtain around the helicopter to provide shelter from wind and wind borne sea spray and the like. The cover members 8 are arranged to surround the helicopter fuselage, and as such the end members 8a, 8b are relatively narrow. The helicopter rotor blades extend over and beyond the cover members 8, the ends of the blades being supported by poles 9 extending upwardly from the turntable 4.

Reference is now also made to Figures 2 to 4 of the drawings, Figure 2 showing a cover member 8 in an extendedconfiguration, Figure 3 showing the cover member 8

retracted and stowed, and Figure 4 showing the cover member 8 partially extended.

Each cover member 8 comprises a top frame 20 which has sheeting 16 attached to it by a plurality of fixings. The sheeting 16 may be spooled onto a rod 32 that is biassed to keep a constant tension on the sheeting 16. The rod 32, and any material 16 spooled on the rod 32, is enclosed in a sub-deck housing 12 which provides protection for the sheeting 16 when stowed, the upper wall of the housing 12 forming a part of the deck surface.

The top frame 20 defines a channel 34 along its length. Within the channel 34 is a roller 22 which is freely movable over a section of the channel 34, the roller 22 being mounted to one end of an elongate support member 24. In the centre of the support member 24 there is a pivot pin 26 connected to another support member 25. At the other end of the support member 24 there is a hinge pin 40 fixed within a channel 36 defined by a fixed lower rail 28. The lower rail 28 is fixed in a well recess 30 in the deck 14, which recess also accommodates the housing 12.

The lower rail channel 36 extends along the length of the rail 28 and allows a roller 23 mounted to the lower end of the member 25 to move along the rail 28. The assembly of the support members 24,25 thus form a scissors-like arrangement to support the top rail 20, and thus also the sheeting 16.

The top frame 20 is raised and lowered on the scissorconfigured support members 24,25 by moving the lower end

of the member 25 along the rail 28, using a wire cable (not shown) run along the channel 36 and connected to the end of the support member 25. Pulling on the cable extends the structure, the cable being stored on a lockable ratchet system (not shown). On releasing the ratchet, the structure is free to collapse or retract into the housing 12 under its own weight.

Dependent on the length of the sheeting 16, two or more sets of support members may be provided, as shown in Figure 2.

In use, a helicopter will approach the platform on which the apparatus 10 is provided and if possible will approach the helideck 14 while flying into the wind. The cover members 8 are retracted, and the turntable 4 positioned to match the orientation of the incoming helicopter, and in particular to match the orientation of the helicopter to the cover members 8. The helicopter may then land on the turntable 4, within the area defined by the retracted cover members 8, and the helicopter unloaded.

The cover members 8 are then extended, to the configuration as illustrated in Figure 1, to form a protective screen around the helicopter 2. The helicopter 2 is thus protected against the wind and wind-borne sea spray. Also, the cover members 8 create a sheltered area around the helicopter, facilitating helicopter maintenance and servicing operations.

To minimise the forces experienced by the apparatus10, the turntable may be rotated as the wind direction

varies, such that the smaller area front cover member 8a is always directed towards the wind direction.

When the helicopter 2 is then called for to be brought into operation, the cover members 8 are retracted and, if necessary, the turntable 4 rotated such that the helicopter 2 is facing directly into the wind, ready for take-off.

It will be appreciated by those of skill in the art that this embodiment of the invention allows a helicopter to be located at an offshore location for an extended period of time whilst providing shelter and protection for the helicopter from wind and wind borne sea spray and the like and providing a sheltered working area such that maintenance and safety checks can be performed. Also, the provision of a turntable allows a helicopter to be positioned ready for take-off, directed into the wind, this feature being particularly important in offshore locations which are likely to experience elevated wind speeds, which would otherwise make take-off more difficult.

It will further be appreciated that the apparatus of this embodiment is merely exemplary of the present invention and that various modifications and improvement may be made without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, other embodiments may comprise only the turntable, or only the cover members, depending on the particular requirements and nature of the application. Also, the form of the cover members may vary, and may take the form of a clam shell-like arrangement in which archedframe members carrying flexible sheeting are pivotally

mounted on the deck and may be raised from a retracted position on or under the deck to a position in which the frame members extend over the helicopter, or at least form a curtain or shelter around the helicopter. In addition, the above described embodiment utilises cables to raise the cover members: in other embodiments, screw and nut arrangements, or hydraulic or pneumatic cylinders, may be utilised to actuate the support frames.

The above apparatus 10 has been described with reference to an offshore platform, and it should be noted that embodiments of the invention are primarily intended for use in any platform, rig or vessel which is intended to remain is a substantially fixed orientation for extended periods, and thus be unable to turn or rotate to accommodate take off or landing of a helicopter.

Claims

1. An apparatus for sheltering a helicopter on a helicopter deck in an offshore location, the apparatus comprising a cover member adapted for fixing to a helicopter deck, the cover member being movable between a retracted configuration, permitting take off and landing of a helicopter, and an extended configuration, in which the cover member is adapted to provide protection for the helicopter on the deck.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein, in the extended configuration, the cover member defines a curtain for extending around an aircraft.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the cover member is adapted to surround a helicopter fuselage, and has relatively narrow ends.

4. The apparatus of claim 1,2 or 3, wherein, in the retracted configuration, the cover member is adapted such that it does not extend above the surface of the deck.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the cover member has an upper portion adapted to lie flush with the deck and form a portion of the deck surface.

6. The apparatus of any of the preceding claims, wherein the apparatus is arranged such that the cover member is retractable and stowable in situ.

7. The apparatus of any of the preceding claims, wherein the cover member comprises flexible sheeting, the sheeting being supported by movable structural members.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, further comprising means for locking said movable structural members in an extended configuration such that the members form a substantially rigid structure.

9. The apparatus of claim 7 or 8, wherein a plurality of said movable structural members are arranged such that the members form a scissor-type arrangement for supporting the cover member.

10. The apparatus of any of claims 7,8 or 9, further comprising a plurality of base units each capable of accommodating a retracted cover member and a plurality of movable structural members associated therewith.

11. The apparatus of any of the preceding claims, wherein the cover member is flexible and is adapted for storage on a roller for location below the deck surface.

12. The apparatus of any of the preceding claims, in

combination with turntable adapted for location on the deck and forming a portion of the deck surface, the turntable being rotatable to allow a helicopter to land in a desired direction, within the apparatus, and subsequently take off in a desired direction.

13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the turntable is rotatable through at least 360 degrees.

14. An apparatus for location on a helicopter deck in an offshore location, the apparatus comprising a turntable on which a helicopter may land and park, the turntable being rotatable through at least 360 degrees to allow take-off of a helicopter parked thereon in any desired direction.

15. A helicopter deck incorporating the apparatus of any of the preceding claims.

16. A helicopter deck of an offshore platform incorporating the apparatus of any of claims 1 through 14.

17. A method of providing protection for a helicopter on a helicopter deck in an offshore location, the method comprising: providing a cover member on the deck; retracting the cover member to allow the take off and landing of a helicopter from the deck ; and extending the cover member to provide protection for

a helicopter on the deck.

18. The method of claim 17, comprising extending the cover member vertically upwards from the deck to define a curtain for extending around a helicopter.

19. The method of claim 17 or 18, comprising extending the cover member to surround the sides of the helicopter fuselage.

20. The method of claim 17,18 or 19, comprising retracting the cover member to lie below the surface of the deck.

21. The method of claim 20, comprising retracting the cover member such that an upper portion thereof lies flush with the deck and forms a portion of the deck surface.

22. The method of any of claims 17 to 21, further comprising: providing a turntable on the deck and forming a portion of the deck surface; rotating the turntable to allow a helicopter to land into the wind; extending the cover member to protect the helicopter; retracting the cover member; and rotating the turntable to allow-the helicopter to takeoff into the wind.

23. A method of facilitating take-off of a helicopter from a helicopter deck of a platform at an offshore location, the method comprising: providing a turntable on the deck ; and rotating the turntable such that a helicopter parked on the deck faces into the wind.

24. An apparatus for use in sheltering a helicopter substantially as described herein and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

25. A method of providing protection for a helicopter substantially as described herein.

26. A turntable adapted for location on a helicopter deck at an offshore location substantially as described herein and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

27. A method of facilitating take-off of a helicopter from a helicopter deck at an offshore location substantially as described herein.