ITUB20159685A1 - MULTIPLE CONTAINMENT UNITS FOR COMPRESSED GAS CYLINDERS AND NAVAL UNITS FOR GAS COMPRESSED TRANSPORT WITH SUCH UNITS - Google Patents

Description

DESCRIPTION

Field of application

The object of the present invention is a unit for the multiple containment of compressed gas cylinders and a naval means for transporting compressed gas equipped with such units.

The multiple containment unit according to the invention is particularly suitable for the maritime transport of compressed gas in cylinders. In particular, this multiple containment unit can be installed in the holds of ships or on the decks of barges. This unit can also be installed on submarine vehicles, on semi-submersible platforms or on floats.

The naval means can be of any type, for example a ship or a barge, an underwater vehicle, a semi-submersible platform, a float. The vessel can be used for the transport of compressed gas, natural or industrially produced.

State of the art

To date, there are still no vessels for the transport of compressed gas operating on the market, but only feasibility projects for this type of vessel.

In general, these projects envisage equipping the vessel with a plurality of modular multiple containment units, commonly referred to as racks. Each modular unit comprises a support structure and, within it, a plurality of pressure vessels (cylinders), fluidically connected to each other to form a single pressure vessel.

For reasons of structural stability, the modular multiple containment units (racks) are rigidly constrained to the structure of the vessel. For the same reasons, the cylinders inside each rack are also rigidly connected to the containment structure of the respective rack.

This means that in the first place the structure of the vessel undergoes the stresses generated by the expansion of the individual pressure vessels and the relative racks and in turn participates in the deformation of the cylinders and racks, since it binds them with its rigidity. In turn, the racks and then the individual cylinders undergo the loads induced by the structure of the vessel and participate in the deformation of the beam-ship. All this strongly affects the expected fatigue life of the pressure vessel (cylinder). Generally, the support structures of the racks are made through modular and repetitive elements, connected to each other to delimit a containment volume in which the cylinders are arranged and constrained. In particular, these are reticular structures made with metal profiles connected to each other by welding or bolted connections. As they are made, or rigidly connected by welding or bolted connection, these structures fully absorb the fatigue stresses of the loading and unloading cycles of the compressed gas in the cylinders bound to them and in turn transmit to the cylinders themselves the stresses induced by the means of transport, be it a truck, a railway train or a ship.

In particular, when these containment structures are placed inside a hold of a ship, the stresses induced by the wave motion and absorbed by the ship's hull are transmitted to the containment unit (rack) of cylinders, with the result of unload these stresses also on the single cylinders. As already mentioned, in fact, for reasons of structural stability no discontinuities in the force transmission chain are foreseen. The racks and the relative cylinders are therefore forced to work in solidarity with the means of transport itself.

To prevent the deformations induced by the aforementioned cyclic loads from modifying the design geometry of the rack, affecting the functionality of the gas containment system, the rack structure is normally oversized taking into account these cyclic loads, with an increase in cost and weight. Furthermore, the influence of the cycles induced from the ship to the rack heavily modifies the fatigue behavior of the rack and of the cylinders themselves, reducing the expected life per rack and single cylinder.

Presentation of the invention

Therefore, the object of the present invention is to eliminate or even lessen the drawbacks of the prior art mentioned above, by providing a multiple containment unit for compressed gas cylinders that can be connected in a structurally stable manner to a means of transport, in order to particular ship, and at the same time can translate and deform freely even when the means of transport is subject to significant deformations (as in the case of a ship with unfavorable sea and wind conditions), without however being subjected to significant stresses and deformations of the means of transport itself.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a multiple containment unit for compressed gas cylinders which does not cause deformation of the cylinders in the event that its supporting frame is deformed.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a unit for the multiple containment of compressed gas cylinders which is easy and economical to manufacture.

Brief description of the drawings

The technical characteristics of the invention, according to the aforementioned purposes, are clearly verifiable from the content of the claims reported below and the advantages thereof will become more evident in the detailed description that follows, made with reference to the attached drawings, which represent one or more forms of purely exemplary and non-limiting embodiments, in which: - Figure 1 shows a top perspective view of a single multiple containment unit (rack) of CNG cylinders arranged vertically, according to a preferred embodiment of the invention;

Figure 2 shows an orthogonal side view of two multiple containment units illustrated in Figure 1, according to the arrow II shown therein; the two multiple containment units are shown without cylinders for simplicity of representation of the drawing itself;

Figure 3 shows a simplified top plan view of a set of four multiple containment units according to the invention, as illustrated in Figure 1, with some parts not shown for ease of reading the drawing; the four multiple containment units are shown without cylinders for simplicity of representation of the drawing itself;

- Figure 4 shows the configuration assumed by the two multiple containment units illustrated in Figure 2 following a translation deformation of the lower part of the hold with respect to the upper part of the hold itself, on a plane m parallel to the anchoring feet of the racks;

Figure 5 shows an enlarged detail of Figure 2 relating to a supporting foot of the frame of the containment unit and an associated elastic joint;

Figure 6 shows an enlarged detail of Figure 2 relating to an elastically deformable spacer arranged between the lateral structures of two containment units according to the invention side by side;

Figure 7 shows an orthogonal sectional side view of the unit illustrated in Figure 1 without the support feet, according to the section plane S and the arrow II shown therein;

Figure 8 shows a simplified top plan view of the unit illustrated in Figure 1 according to the arrow III shown therein;

Figures 9, 10 and each show a simplified top plan view of three CNG cylinder multiple containment units (racks) arranged vertically, according to three different embodiments of the invention;

- Figures 12, 13 and 14 each show a detail view of upper connection means between racks and cylinders of Figures 8, 9 and 19 respectively;

Figure 15 shows a detail view of means for lower connection between the rack and the cylinders, according to a preferred embodiment;

Figures 16a and 16b respectively show a simplified vertical orthogonal view and an orthogonal top plan view of the multiple containment unit (rack) illustrated in Figure 1, when the rack undergoes a pure translation deformation;

Figures 17a and 17b respectively show a simplified vertical orthogonal view and an orthogonal top plan view of the multiple containment unit (rack) illustrated in Figure 1, when the rack undergoes a pure bending deformation; And

Figures 18a and 18b show respectively a simplified vertical orthogonal view and an orthogonal top plan view of the multiple containment unit (rack) illustrated in Figure 1, when the rack undergoes a pure torsional deformation.

Figure 19 shows a simplified plan view of the configuration of a compressed gas transport ship with a segregation in holds each of which contains a determined number of multiple cylinder containment units arranged in contiguous rows; And

Figure 20 shows an enlarged plan view of a hold of the ship of Figure 19.

Detailed description

With reference to the accompanying drawings, 1 a multiple containment unit (rack) for compressed gas cylinders according to the present invention has been indicated as a whole and with 20 the individual pressure vessels (cylinders) for the transport of compressed gas installed at the inside the containment unit. On the other hand, 100 indicates as a whole the naval means for transporting compressed gas according to the invention, equipped with such multiple cylinder containment units 1.

The pressure vessels (cylinders) of unit 1 can be designed to contain any type of compressed gas, in particular compressed natural gas (CNG, Compressed Naturai Gas).

Here and in the following of the description and the claims, reference will be made to the unit 1 for the multiple containment (rack) of cylinders in use condition. In this sense, references to a lower or higher position, or to a horizontal or vertical direction, must therefore be understood. According to a general embodiment of the invention illustrated in the attached Figures, the multiple containment unit (rack) 1 (in particular for maritime transport) comprises:

- a support frame 10 comprising in turn a support base 11 and a plurality of lateral containment structures 12 which are structurally connected to the support base 11 and extend vertically from the latter, delimiting an internal containment volume 13; And

- a plurality of cylinders 20 for containing compressed gas which are connected to said support frame 10 in order to maintain a stable position inside it.

The support base 11 of the support frame 10 is equipped with a plurality of support feet 14 intended to be rigidly anchored to a portion of a means of transport, in particular a ship 100,

According to the invention, the support base 11 of the support frame 10 is connected to each of the aforementioned support feet 14 by means of an elastic joint 15.

The set of elastic joints 15 create a discontinuity in the transmission of stresses and deformations between the support feet 14 and the support base 11.

Operationally, the aforementioned elastic joints 15 are sized to allow relative displacements between the feet 14 and the support base 11 on a plane m parallel to the base itself, however damping displacements perpendicular to this plane m, as schematically shown in Figure 4,

When the transport means - the transport unit 1 is connected to the sheath - is subjected to external stresses, it deforms and consequently the anchoring feet 14 of the unit 1 are also deformed, the rods are rigidly anchored to the transport means. transport. Functionally, the elastic joints 15 which connect the support base 11 to the feet 14 allow the frame 10 to maintain its initial geometry without integrally following the movements of its support feet. These elastic joints 15 dampen the stresses transmitted by the feet to the frame, transforming them into translation movements of the support base (and of the whole frame) parallel to the plane of the base itself. By thus keeping the geometry of the frame 10 of the unit 1 unchanged or damaged, the transmission of mechanical stresses from the structure of the means of transport towards the containment unit 1 and consequently towards the cylinders contained in the unit itself is avoided.

All this is particularly significant in the case in which the means of transport consists of a naval vessel, which in its operational life is subject to wave loads that cause significant elastic deformations of the ship structure to which the multiple containment unit 1 is connected. .

Preferably, the support base 11 has a square or rectangular shape in plan. The support base 11 is equipped with four support feet 14, each arranged in proximity to one of the four vertices of the base 11.

The set of elastic joints allows the support base 11 to move relative to a plane parallel to the base itself with an amplitude no greater than 50 mm with respect to a nominal position of vertical alignment of the base 11 with the feet 14. The nominal position of alignment is illustrated in Figure 2.

The elastic joints can be of any type suitable for the purpose, as long as they allow large deformations on the base plane and maintain a significant stiffness for vertical deformations.

In particular, each elastic joint 15 can be constituted by an elastic structure consisting of at least two elements each having different stiffness with respect to the other on the plane parallel to the base 11 and in a direction orthogonal to the plane itself.

More in detail, each of these two elements with different stiffness is connected to the support base 11 at its own first end portion 16 'and is connected to the respective support foot 14 at its own second end portion 16 " , opposite to the first.

Preferably, each of these two elements with different stiffness is connected to the support base 11 by means of a first rigid plate 17, rigidly constrained to the base 11, and is connected to the respective support foot 14 by means of a second rigid plate 18, rigidly constrained to the foot. support 14.

Preferably, as illustrated in Figures 1 to 6, in addition to the elastic joints 15 for connecting the support base 11 to the feet 14, the multiple cylinder containment unit 1 comprises a plurality of elastically deformable spacers 19, anchored to the lateral structures 12 of the frame 10.

Advantageously, these elastically deformable spacers 19 are positioned at at least a different height with respect to the support base 11.

Operationally, these elastically deformable spacers 19 are designed to prevent - during the movements of said unit 1 on the plane m of its support base 11 - the direct contact of said unit 1 for multiple containment of compressed gas cylinders against other units similar to it. adjacent and / or against structures of the means of transport adjacent to said unit 1.

Advantageously, as illustrated in Figures 2, 3 and 4, the aforementioned elastically deformable spacers 19 can mechanically connect the aforementioned unit 1 for multiple containment of compressed gas cylinders to one or more other similar units 1 adjacent to it, thus creating continuity between the unit 1. In this way it is possible to distribute the stresses among the units 1 themselves and reduce the amplitude of the movements to which the single multiple containment unit 1 is subject. In particular, such elastically deformable elements 19 which connect units 1 to each other can be consisting of elastic joints.

In the preferred case of application on a ship, it is observed that the structure of the ship (cargo hold, hull and decks) has a higher elastic stiffness than the single containment unit 1 of several orders of magnitude.

By connecting together an adequate number of units 1 as described above through the aforementioned elastic joints 19 (preferably to form longitudinal rows of units 1, as will be resumed in the following description), it is possible to create an assembly which has an elastic stiffness comparable to that of of the ship structure, capable of deforming in a controlled way.

In particular, the single containment unit 1 is connected to similar units 1 adjacent to it by means of elastic joints 19 in one or more different positions, of which at least one is in a vertical position in the upper part of the frame 10 so as to limit the relative displacements. between adjacent units.

The elastic joints 15, which are placed in connection between the feet 14 and the support base 10 of the frame 10, and possibly the elastically deformable spacers 19 (preferably in the form of elastic joints), together constitute a mechanical system which allows to reduce significantly the static and dynamic stresses from the means of transport towards unit 1 (in particular, from the ship structure towards unit 1).

In particular, in the case of a naval vessel it appears sufficient, within a range of limited values, to allow the translations of the rack along the two horizontal reference axes of the ship X and Y, possibly connecting several racks together to ensure sufficient inertia to reduce 1 amplitude of movements and related deformations. This means creating a vessel for compressed gas transport whose structure of the vessel itself is completely unaffected by the deformations of the cargo system and, being not structurally connected to the cargo system, does not in any way affect the fatigue life of the vessels in pressure and the other elements making up the modular containment unit.

The object of the present invention is a naval means 100 for transporting compressed gas, comprising a plurality of cylinders 20 for containing compressed gas grouped into single multiple containment units.

The vessel 100 can be of any type. Preferably, the naval craft 100 is a ship or a barge, but it can also be a submarine craft, a semi-submersible platform or a float.

The vessel 100 can be used for the transport of compressed, natural or industrially produced gas.

In particular, the multiple containment units can be installed in the holds (if the vessel is a ship, as illustrated in Figures 19 and 20) or on a deck (if the vessel is a barge).

At least a part of the aforementioned multiple containment units consist of multiple containment units 1 according to the present invention and in particular as described above.

Preferably, all the multiple containment units in which the cylinders 20 are grouped are constituted by multiple containment units 1 according to the invention.

However, embodiments can be envisaged in which a part of the multiple containment units are of the traditional type, ie with the respective support frames rigidly constrained to the ship structure without interposition of elastic joints. Preferably, as schematically illustrated in Figures 19 and 20, the multiple containment units 1 are arranged on rows 50. Each row 50 is formed by single multiple containment units 1 aligned with each other and placed side by side. This spatial configuration is preferably adopted in the case in which the vessel is a ship and the units 1 are installed inside holds 101.

Advantageously, the units 1 of each single row 50 are connected to the adjacent units 1 belonging to the same row 50 at the respective lateral structures 12 by means of the aforementioned elastically deformable spacers 19, which are positioned at at least two different heights with respect to the support bases. 11. In this way continuity is created between the units 1 of a row 50, helping to reduce the deformations of the individual units 1 induced by stresses transmitted to said units by the vessel 100.

Preferably, as shown in particular in Figure 20, each row 50 of multiple containment units 1 is delimited on both its sides by a longitudinal corridor 51 parallel to it and ends at both its two ends 50 'and 50 "on a corridor transverse 52, orthogonal to the longitudinal corridors 51.

Preferably, as illustrated in the attached Figures, the cylinders 20 of the single multiple containment unit 1 are arranged vertically along their own longitudinal development axis X inside the containment volume 13 defined by the support frame 10. The number of cylinders contained by the unit (rack) 1 may vary according to the configuration chosen for the unit itself.

As previously described, the connection system between the frame 1 and the transport means, made by means of the aforementioned elastic joints 15, and possibly also by means of the elastically deformable spacers 19, allows to significantly reduce the intensity and the amplitude of the deformations. frame 10, but does not allow them to be completely eliminated.

The cylinders 20 can be rigidly connected to the frame 10. In this case, the deformations of the frame 10 - although attenuated by the aforementioned frame / means of transport connection system - can be transferred to the cylinders connected to it and affect the life at fatigue of the cylinders. This must necessarily be taken into account when sizing the cylinders themselves, with an increase in terms of cylinder construction costs. The cylinders must in fact be adequately oversized to withstand the fatigue cycles induced by the deformations caused by the deformations of the frame, in addition to the fatigue cycles induced by the deformations deriving from the loading and unloading cycles of the cylinders themselves.

In accordance with a particularly preferred embodiment, the present invention provides for combining the already described connection system of the frame 10 to the transport means (based precisely on the elastic joints 15 and possibly on the elastically deformable spacers 19) with a specific connection system between each cylinder and the frame 10 which prevents the transmission of residual deformations from the frame to the cylinders. This connection system between each cylinder and the frame will be described below with the aid of Figures 7 to 18.

More in detail, as shown in particular in Figures 7 and 15, each cylinder 20 is connected to the support base 11 by means of a lower connection device 30 comprising:

a support element 31 in correspondence with which the cylinder 20 rests with its own longitudinal bottom end 21; And

- a spherical joint 32 which binds the support element 31 to the support base 11, allowing the free rotation of the support element 31 itself and of the cylinder 20 resting on it with respect to the support base 11, but preventing their translations with respect to the support base 11 itself.

Thanks to the spherical joint 32, the support element 31 can rotate in the upper half space of the support base on all axes. In this rotation movement, Γ longitudinal development axis X of the cylinder describes a cone with apex on the ball joint. Taking into account the spatial and dimensional constraints imposed by the positioning of the cylinder inside the rack and with respect to the other cylinders, the rotation on the ball joint 32 is limited. Preferably, the rotation is such that the aforesaid cone has an opening angle not exceeding 0.1 °. In the case of a cylinder 24 m high, a rotation at the base with an angle of 0.1 ° imposes a deviation from the vertical axis of the longitudinal development X of the cylinder, measured at the top of the cylinder in the horizontal component (translation), not exceeding 50 mm.

1 / the multiple containment unit 1 also comprises a vertical support structure 40 for the cylinders 20 which:

it is constrained to the lateral structures 12 of the frame 10 at a predefined height H from the support base 11; And

- defines a vertical positioning seat 41 for each individual cylinder 20.

Each cylinder 20 is free to translate axially (i.e. along its own axis to the longitudinal development axis X) inside the respective seat 41 for vertical positioning with respect to the vertical support structure 40.

Operationally, the vertical support structure 40 accompanies the cylinders 20 in the movements of the lateral structures 12 of the frame, following the rotations of each cylinder 20 allowed by the respective lower connection device 30 without transmitting bending and / or twisting moments to them and maintaining the at the same time the cylinders 20 separated from each other according to a predefined positioning scheme on the plan.

The present invention therefore provides for connecting each individual cylinder 20 to the support frame 10 by means of a mechanical connection system which is articulated into two distinct support systems, one acting on the bottom portion of the cylinders (i.e. the aforementioned lower connection device 30 ) and one acting on a portion placed higher than the bottom (i.e. the aforementioned vertical support structure 40).

The vertical support structure 40 can act at any height of the cylinder, provided that the connection with the cylinder is guaranteed in case the maximum axial sliding provided occurs.

Thanks to the invention, the support frame 10 of the containment unit 1 can freely deform even with unfavorable sea and wind conditions, in the case of sea transport, without this having significant effects on the cylinders. Thanks to the invention, in fact, the cylinders are free to move with respect to the support frame 10, while remaining substantially with each other according to a predefined positioning scheme in plan. This is achieved by separating the cylinders 20 from the support frame 10, so as to avoid (or at least significantly limit) the transmission of static and dynamic stresses from the frame 10 to the cylinders 20.

Thanks to the invention, it is therefore possible to avoid overloading the more rigid element (the cylinder, with gas under pressure) over time, when the more flexible element (the support frame) deforms following the stresses of the means of transport. which contains them both.

This advantage becomes evident when the means of transport, during the entire duration of its operating life, performs a number of stress cycles so high as to make an adequate sizing of the rigid element (cylinder) economically impracticable.

The aforementioned supporting frame 10 of the containment unit 1 is a structure which is equipped with a lower stiffness than the cylinders 20 arranged therein and is capable of deforming when subjected to dynamic loads imposed by the means of transport inside which it is installed.

Preferably, the support frame 10 is a reticular structure made with metal profiles connected to each other by welding or bolted connections.

Advantageously, as shown in particular in Figure 15, the support element 31 can be shaped so as to define a support seat having a shape corresponding to the shape of the bottom end of the cylinder. In particular, the support element 31 consists of a cradle. Preferably, the support element 31 is made of metallic material.

Advantageously, as illustrated in Figure 15, the lower connection device 30 can comprise a mat 33 of elastically deformable material interposed between the support element 31 and the bottom end 21 of the cylinder. This mat 33 is able to dampen any vibrations and / or vertical stresses transmitted by the supporting frame 10 to the cylinder 20.

Preferably, the elastically deformable material which forms the mattress 33 offers a coefficient of friction with the cylinder 20 sufficient to hold the cylinder 20 resting on the support element 31 in the event of vertical and / or lateral accelerations suffered by the cylinder itself.

According to the embodiment illustrated in Figures 7 to 18, the aforementioned vertical support structure 40 for the cylinders comprises:

- a plurality of collars 42, one for each cylinder 20, each of which defines the positioning seat 41 for the respective cylinder 20; and a plurality of spacer elements 43 which connect the collars to each other and to the side structures 12 of the frame 10 by positioning the collars to each other and to the lateral structures according to a predefined plan positioning scheme.

Operationally, the aforementioned spacer elements 43 connect the collars 42 to each other and to the lateral structures 12 of the support frame 10, decoupling the collars from each other and with respect to the lateral structures as regards the transmission of bending and / or twisting moments.

In particular, as illustrated in Figures 12 and 13, each spacer element 43 can consist of a double ball joint.

As illustrated in Figures 10 and 14, each spacer element 43 can be constituted by an elastic joint equivalent to a double ball joint.

The elastic joints can be arranged at the points of minimum distance between collar / collar and between collar / frame (as shown in Figure 8) or, alternatively, along a diagonal direction of maximum distance between collar / collar and between collar / frame (as illustrated in Figure 9). This last configuration can be advantageously used in the case in which the space between the cylinders 20 is extremely small.

Advantageously, the collars and the spacer elements can be made one-piece together to form a single structure 45 in elastically deformable material.

In particular, as illustrated in Figure 11, this unique structure in elastically deformable material can be constituted by a panel 45, comprising a plurality of main through openings 46, each of which defines a vertical positioning seat for a cylinder. The edge portion of each main through opening 46 defines a collar, while the panel portions 47 arranged between the aforementioned main through openings 46 constitute the aforementioned spacer elements.

As illustrated in Figure 11, the aforementioned panel 45 can comprise a plurality of secondary through openings 4 8, having in particular a lightening function, made in the portions of the panel arranged between the aforementioned main openings. The spacer elements are defined by the panel portions 47 arranged between the main openings 46 and the secondary openings 48.

Advantageously, the aforementioned vertical support structure 40 comprises for each collar 41 an interposition structure 44 made of elastically deformable material interposed between the collar 41 and the respective cylinder 20. This structure 44 is suitable for allowing displacements of the cylinder due to thermal expansion and deformations mechanics of the cylinder itself that occur in the cylinder loading and unloading cycles. Generally, these displacements are of the order of 20-30 mm.

In particular, this interposition structure 44 is a continuous structure, which develops throughout the perimeter development of the cylinder in cross section, or it is a discontinuous structure, consisting of a plurality of elements distributed along the perimeter development of the cylinder in cross section, for example in the form of skates.

Advantageously, the elastically deformable material which forms the aforementioned interposition structure 44 offers a coefficient of friction with the cylinder 20 sufficiently low not to hinder the axial translations of the cylinder with respect to the collar 42.

As already mentioned above, in accordance with the particularly preferred embodiment illustrated in Figures 7 to 18, the present invention provides for connecting each individual cylinder 20 to the support frame 10 by means of a mechanical connection system which is articulated on two distinct systems support, one acting on the bottom portion of the cylinders (i.e. the aforementioned lower connection device 30) and one acting on a portion located higher than the bottom (i.e. the aforementioned vertical support structure 40).

Thanks to the combined action of these two connection systems 30 and 40, in all the possible mechanical deformations to which the support frame 10 can be subjected, the deformation of the frame 10 does not transmit a bending or twisting moment to the cylinders 20, but it only generates a rigid rotation movement of each cylinder around a pivot point in the space located on the bottom of the cylinder itself. However, this rigid rotational movement in space does not entail any increase in the structural stress of the cylinders themselves.

Figures 16 a-b, 17 a-b and 18 a-b schematically illustrate some possible states of deformation of the supporting frame of the containment unit and the position consequently assumed by the cylinders.

In particular, the effects of a pure translation deformation of the frame are illustrated in Figures 16 a-b. It causes a rigid rotation of all the cylinders and in particular a rotation of the bottom portion of each cylinder on the plane of translation and a rotation-translation of the vertical support structure 40.

Figures 17 a-b show the effects of a pure bending deformation of the frame. It causes a rigid rotation of all the cylinders and in particular a pure rotation of the bottom portion of each cylinder on the plane of bending and a rotation or rotation-translation of the vertical support structure 40.

Figures 18 a-b illustrate the effects of a pure torsional deformation of the frame. It causes a rigid rotation of all the cylinders and in particular a pure rotation of the bottom portion of each cylinder on the plane of the torsion and a torsion-translation of the vertical support structure 40.

Any other type of deformation of the framework 10 can be defined as a geometric combination of the three types of deformation described above. Consequently, the cylinders 20 will undergo only corresponding rigid rotations as a combination of the individual deformations of the frame.

The invention allows to obtain numerous advantages already partially described.

The unit 1 for the multiple containment of compressed gas cylinders according to the invention is structured in such a way that it can be connected in a structurally stable way to a means of transport, in particular naval, and at the same time it can translate and deform freely even when the means of transport is subject to significant deformations (as in the case of a vessel with unfavorable sea and wind conditions), without however substantially undergoing the stresses and deformations of the means of transport itself.

According to the particularly preferred embodiment illustrated in Figures 7 to 18, the unit 1 for multiple containment of compressed gas cylinders is also specifically structured in such a way that the support frame can deform freely even in sea and sea conditions. unfavorable wind, in the case of maritime transport, without any significant effect in terms of deformations on the cylinders which are free to move with respect to the frame.

In the case of sea transport, the cylinders can therefore be sized considering only the gas loading / unloading cycles (order 103 in 20 years) and not the cycles of wave loads (order 106 in 20 years) linked to the maximum stress d wave experienced by the support frame of the containment unit 1.

The unit for the multiple containment of compressed gas cylinders according to the invention is also easy and inexpensive to produce.

The connection systems between the frame and the means of transport and between the cylinders and the support frame are in fact constructively simple to make and to assemble, and do not include sophisticated components. They are also mechanical systems, which mechanically intervene automatically without the need for a control and drive system.

The invention thus conceived therefore achieves the intended purposes.

Obviously, in its practical embodiment, it may also assume forms and configurations different from the one illustrated above without thereby departing from the present scope of protection.

Furthermore, all the details can be replaced by technically equivalent elements and the dimensions, shapes and materials used can be any according to the needs.

Claims (28)

CLAIMS 1. Multiple containment unit for compressed gas cylinders, in particular for maritime transport, comprising: - a support framework (10) comprising in turn a support base (11) and a plurality of lateral containment structures (12) which are structurally connected to the support base (11) and extend vertically from the latter delimiting an internal containment volume (13); And - a plurality of cylinders (20) for containing compressed gas which are connected to said support frame (10) in order to maintain a stable position inside it, in which the support base (11) of the support frame (10) is equipped with a plurality of support feet (14) intended to be rigidly anchored to a portion of a means of transport, characterized in that the base of support (11) of the support frame (10) is connected to each of said support feet (14) by means of an elastic joint (15), the set of elastic joints (15) creating a discontinuity in the transmission of stresses and deformations between the support feet (14) and the support base (il), said elastic joints (15) being sized to allow relative displacements between the feet (14) and the support base (il) on a plane parallel to the base itself, damping displacements orthogonal to this plane. 2. Unit according to claim 1, wherein each elastic joint (15) is constituted by an elastic structure consisting of at least two elements each having different stiffness with respect to the other on the plane parallel to the base (11) and in a direction orthogonal to the plane itself . 3. Unit according to claim 2, in which each of said two elements with different stiffness is connected to the support base (li) at its own first end portion (16 ') and is connected to the respective support foot (14 ) in correspondence with its own second end portion (16 "), opposite to the first. 4. Unit according to claim 3, in which each of said two elements with different stiffness is connected to the support base (11) by means of a first rigid plate (17), rigidly constrained to the base (11), and is connected to the respective foot support (14) by means of a second rigid plate (18), rigidly constrained to the support foot (14). 5. Unit according to one or more of claims 1 to 4, wherein said support base (11) has a square or rectangular shape in plan, said support base (11) being equipped with four supporting feet (14), each arranged in proximity to one of the four vertices of the base (11). 6. Unit according to one or more of claims 1 to 5, in which the set of elastic joints allows the support base (11) to move relative to a plane parallel to the base (11) itself with an amplitude not exceeding 50 mm with respect to a nominal position of vertical alignment of the base (11) with the feet (14). 7. Unit according to one or more of the preceding claims, comprising a plurality of elastically deformable spacers (19), anchored to the lateral structures (12) of the frame (10) and positioned at at least a different height with respect to the support base (11) , said elastically deformable spacers (19) being able to prevent - during the movements of said unit (1) on the plane of its support base (11) - the direct contact of said unit (1) for multiple containment of compressed gas cylinders against other similar units adjacent to it and / or against structures of the means of transport adjacent to said unit (1). 8. Unit according to claim 7, wherein said elastically deformable spacers (19) mechanically connect said unit (1) for the multiple containment of compressed gas cylinders to one or more other similar units (1) adjacent to it, creating continuity between the unit (1) so as to distribute the stresses among the units (1) themselves thereby reducing the amplitude of the movements of said unit (1). 9. Unit according to one or more of the preceding claims, in which said cylinders (20) are arranged vertically along their own longitudinal development axis (X) inside the containment volume (13) defined by the support frame (10 ), characterized in that each cylinder (20) is connected to the support base (II) by means of a lower connection device (30) comprising: - a support element (31) in correspondence with the trouble and the cylinder (20) rests with its own longitudinal bottom end (21), and a spherical joint (32) which binds said support element (31) to the base support (il), allowing the free rotation of the support element (31) itself and of the cylinder (20) resting on it with respect to the support base (11), but preventing its translation with respect to the support base (11), and by the fact of comprising a vertical support structure (40) of the cylinders (20) which is constrained to the lateral structures (12) of the frame (10) at a predefined height (H) from the support base (11) and which defines for each individual cylinder (20) a vertical positioning seat (41), each cylinder (20) being free to move axially inside the respective seat (41) with respect to said vertical support structure (40), which accompanies the cylinders (20) in the movements of the lateral structures (12) of the frame, following the rotations of each cylinder (20) allowed by the respective lower connection device (30) without transmitting bending and / or twisting moments to them and at the same time maintaining the cylinders (20) separated from each other according to a predefined layout plan. Unit according to claim 9, wherein the support element (31) is shaped so as to define a support seat having a shape corresponding to the shape of the bottom end of the cylinder, preferably said support element (31) being made up of a cradle. 11. Unit according to claim 10, wherein said support element (31) is made of metallic material. Unit according to claim 9, 10 or 11, wherein the lower connection device (30) comprises a mat (33) of elastically deformable material interposed between the support element (31) and the bottom end (21) ) of the cylinder, said mat (33) being able to dampen any vibrations and / or vertical stresses transmitted by the frame (10) to the cylinder. 13. Unit according to claim 12, wherein the elastically deformable material forming the mattress (33) offers a coefficient of friction with the cylinder (20) sufficient to hold the cylinder (20) resting in the support element (31) in case of vertical and / or lateral accelerations suffered by the cylinder itself. Unit according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein said vertical support structure (40) comprises: a plurality of collars (42), one for each cylinder (20), each of which defines the positioning seat (41) for the respective cylinder (20); and a plurality of spacer elements (43) which connect the collars to each other and to the side structures (12) of the frame (10) by positioning the collars with each other and with respect to the side structures according to a predefined plan positioning scheme. Unit according to claim 14, wherein said spacer elements (43) connect the collars (42) to each other and to the lateral structures (12) by decoupling the collars from each other and with respect to the lateral structures as regards the transmission of bending moments and / or twisting. A unit according to claim 14 or 15, wherein each spacer element (43) consists of a double ball joint. Unit according to claim 14 or 15, wherein each spacer element (43) is constituted by an elastic joint equivalent to a double ball joint. 18. A unit according to claim 14 or 15, in which said collars and said spacer elements are made in one piece to form a single structure in elastically deformable material. 19. Unit according to claim 18, wherein said single structure made of elastically deformable material is constituted by a panel, comprising a plurality of main through openings, each of which defines a vertical positioning seat for a cylinder, the edge portion of each main through opening defining a collar and the panel portions disposed between said openings constituting said spacer elements. 20. A unit according to claim 19, wherein said panel comprises a plurality of secondary through openings made in the panel portions disposed between said main openings, said spacer elements being defined by the panel portions disposed between the main and secondary openings. 21. Unit according to one or more of claims 14 to 20, wherein said vertical support structure (40) comprises for each collar (41) an interposition structure (44) made of elastically deformable material interposed between the collar (41) and the respective cylinder (20) adapted to allow displacements of the cylinder due to thermal expansion and mechanical deformations of the cylinder itself which occur in the cylinder loading and unloading cycles. 22. Unit according to claim 21, wherein said interposition structure (44) is a continuous structure, which develops throughout the perimeter development of the cylinder in cross section, or is a discontinuous structure, consisting of a plurality of elements distributed along the perimeter development of the cylinder in cross section. 23. Unit according to claim 21 or 22, wherein the elastically deformable material that forms said interposition structure (44) offers a coefficient of friction with the cylinder (20) low enough not to hinder the vertical translations of the cylinder with respect to the collar (42) . 24. Unit according to one or more of the preceding claims, in which said support frame (10) is a reticular structure with lower stiffness than the cylinders arranged therein and capable of deforming when subjected to dynamic loads imposed by the means of transport inside of the guaie is installed. 25. Vessel for the transport of compressed gas, comprising a plurality of cylinders (20) for the containment of compressed gas grouped into single units (1) of multiple containment, characterized in that at least a part of said units (1) are units ( 1) of multiple containment according to one or more of the preceding claims. 26. A vessel according to claim 25, wherein all the units (1) in which the cylinders (20) are grouped are multiple containment units (1) according to one or more of claims 1 to 24. 27. Vessel according to claim 25 or 26, wherein said multiple containment units (1) are arranged in rows (50), each row (50) being formed by single multiple containment units (1) aligned with each other and side by side head to head against each other, the units (1) of each single row (50) being connected to the adjacent units (1) belonging to the same row (50) at the respective lateral structures (12) by means of elastically deformable spacers ( 19), which are positioned at at least two different heights with respect to the support bases (11), thus creating continuity between the units (1) of a row (50) helping to reduce the movements of individual units (1) induced by stresses transmitted to said units by the vessel. A ship according to claim 27, wherein each row (50) of multiple containment units (1) is bounded on both its sides by a longitudinal corridor (51) parallel to it and ends at both its two ends ( 50 '; 50 ") on a transverse corridor (52) orthogonal to the longitudinal corridors (51).