KR20210046646A - Connecting beams for thermally insulated sealing tanks for storing liquefied gases - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a connecting beam for a tank, wherein the connecting beam 13 comprises a first section 14 and a second section 15, each section at a connection between two sections 14,15 And a hollow central core 17 comprising a first wall 20 and a second wall 21 defining a first assembly window and a second assembly window.
The connecting beam 13 complements the assembly window and comprises a connecting assembly 38 having a shape that is fixed in the region of the assembly window to the first section 14 and the second section 15, the connecting assembly 38 Including a first wing (39) and a second wing (40),
The second wing 40 is lap-welded to the first section 14 and the second wall 21 of the second section 15, the first wing 39 being the main plate, the first section 14 A first part over-welded to the first wall 20 and a second part over-welded to the first wall 20 of the second section 15, the first part being a second part by means of an opening Spaced apart in a first direction of, and the first and second parts of the first wing 39 use main beads extending in the first direction, respectively, the first section 14 and the second section 15 To be welded to.

Description

Connecting beams for thermally insulated sealing tanks for storing liquefied gases

The present invention relates to the field of connecting beams for thermally insulated sealing tanks with membranes. In particular, the present invention transports liquefied petroleum gas (also referred to as LPG) at temperatures between, for example, -50°C and 0°C, or liquefied natural gas (LNG) at approximately -162°C at atmospheric pressure. It relates to the field of connecting beams for thermally insulated sealing tanks for the storage and/or transport of liquefied gases at low temperatures, such as tanks for transporting gas. These tanks can be installed on land or on a floating structure. In the case of the floating structure, the tank may be for receiving the liquefied gas used for transport of the liquefied gas or as fuel for propelling the floating structure.

For example, a connecting beam for a thermally insulated sealing tank with a membrane for storing LNG is known from publication KR200473167. Such a tank comprises a plurality of longitudinal tank walls and a plurality of transverse tank walls. The tank wall contains a double sealing membrane into which a double insulating barrier is inserted. Such tanks are for example integrated into a vehicle structure formed from the hull of a ship.

During the loading and unloading operation of LNG, the change in temperature and the state of charge of the tank impose significant stress on the membrane of the tank. To prevent deterioration of the sealing and insulating properties of the tank, the primary and secondary sealing membranes are anchored to the vehicle structure using connecting beams, especially in the area of the edge formed between the transverse and longitudinal walls of the tank. do. The connecting beam also serves to connect the primary and secondary sealing membranes of the transverse wall to the sealing membrane of the longitudinal wall in a sealing manner.

The anchoring of the connecting beam to the vehicle structure on the one hand and the connection to the sealing membrane on the other hand enables the transmission of forces between the membrane and the hull of the ship, thereby reinforcing the overall structure of the tank.

In KR200473167, the connecting beams are formed by sections that are aligned with each other in the edge direction and define an assembly window at the connection between the two sections.

In order to assemble two adjacent sections, a connecting assembly having a shape that complements the assembly window is fixed to a region of the assembly window.

It has been discovered by the applicant that during the use of such a beam a significant stress is applied to the region of the connection assembly. Moreover, it has been found that excessively large stiffness in the assembly between the section of the beam and the connecting assembly can reduce the service-life of the assembly.

The concept on which the invention is based is to improve the flexibility of the connecting beam, in particular in the region of the connecting assembly.

Another concept on which the present invention is based is to avoid concentration of stress in order to increase the service-life of the connecting beam.

According to one embodiment, the present invention provides a connecting beam for a thermally insulated sealing tank for storing liquefied gas, the connecting beam being a first section and a second section aligned with each other in a first direction for extending the tank edge. Wherein each section comprises a first wall and a second wall connected to the first wall along the first edge of the central core, and a secondary sealing membrane and a primary sealing membrane of the thermally insulating sealing tank and fixed to the central core. It comprises a connecting wing for fixing, the first wall and the second wall are for extending through the primary insulating space of the tank, and the first wall of the first and second sections is parallel and at the connection between the two sections. Define a first assembly window and the second wall of the first and second sections are parallel and define a second assembly window at the connection between the two sections, the connecting beam complements the assembly window and the first in the region of the assembly window. And a connection assembly having a shape fixed to the section and the second section, the connection assembly being parallel to the first wall of the first section and the first wall of the second section and closing the first assembly window. ), and a second wing connected to the first wing and parallel to the second wall of the first section and the second wall of the second section and closing the second assembly window, wherein the second wing is a second wing of the first section. Overlap-weld to the second wall of the second wall and the second section, the first wing being connected to the main plate received in the first assembly window, the main plate and to the first wall of the first section A second part connected to the main plate and overlap-welded to the first wall of the second section, wherein the first part of the first wing is a second part of the first wing by a notch Separated in a first direction of, and the first part and the second part of the first wing are respectively in the first section and the second section using a first main bead and a second main bead extending in the first direction. Are welded.

As a result of these features, the connecting beam is sufficiently flexible, in particular in the area of the connecting assembly, and allows any concentration of stress in the area of the connecting assembly to be avoided. This is especially true of the design of the first wing having a notch and having a first part and a second part spaced from each other by a notch, the behavior of the first part fixed to the first section and the second part fixed to the second section. Because it can be separated to gain flexibility.

According to embodiments, such a connecting beam may include one or more of the following features.

According to one embodiment, the first main bead of the first part and the second main bead of the second part are separated from each other in a first direction by a notch.

According to one embodiment, the first part and the second part of the first wing are further welded to the first section and the second section using a first secondary bead and a second secondary bead to define the edge of the notch. Accordingly, a weld return is formed.

According to one embodiment, the first main bead and the first secondary bead form a continuous weld bead.

According to one embodiment, the second main bead and the second secondary bead form a continuous weld bead.

According to an embodiment, the central core has a hollow cross section in the form of a parallelogram and is connected to the first wall in the region of the second edge, and the fourth wall connected to the second wall in the region of the third edge. Wherein the fourth wall is connected to the third wall in the region of the fourth edge, and the third and fourth walls are for forming a secondary sealing membrane along the tank edge.

According to one embodiment, the connecting wing protrudes toward the outside of the central core, and the connecting wing:

-Comprising a first secondary connecting wing connected to the second edge of the central core, the first secondary connecting wing is intended to be welded to the secondary sealing membrane of the tank in a sealing manner,

-Comprising a second secondary connecting wing connected to the third edge of the central core, the second secondary connecting wing is intended to be welded to the secondary sealing membrane of the tank in a sealing manner,

-Comprising a first primary connecting wing connected to the first edge of the central core, the first primary connecting wing is intended to be welded to the primary sealing membrane of the tank in a sealing manner,

-Comprising a second primary connecting wing connected to the first edge of the central core and forming an angle with the first primary connecting wing, the second primary connecting wing sealed to the primary sealing membrane of the tank It is intended to be welded in a manner.

According to one embodiment, each section comprises anchoring wings protruding toward the outside of the central core, the anchoring wings:

-Comprising a first secondary anchoring wing connected to the fourth edge of the central core and positioned in the same plane as the second secondary connecting wing, wherein the first secondary anchoring wing is fixed to the vehicle wall of the tank. To do,

-A second secondary anchoring wing connected to the fourth edge of the central core and positioned in the same plane as the first secondary connecting wing, the second secondary anchoring wing being fixed to the vehicle wall of the tank. To do,

-Comprising a first primary anchoring wing connected to the third edge of the central core and positioned in the same plane as the second primary connecting wing, wherein the first primary anchoring wing is fixed to the vehicle wall of the tank. To do,

-A second primary anchoring wing connected to the second edge of the central core and positioned in the same plane as the first primary connecting wing, the second primary anchoring wing being fixed to the vehicle wall of the tank. It is to do.

According to one embodiment, the main plate is located in the same plane as the first wall of the central core of the first and second sections, the first part and the second part are located at opposite corners of the main plate, and the first wing is And an offset portion connected to at least one edge of the main plate so as to be formed in a plane away from the plane of the main plate, the first portion and the second portion being positioned on the offset portion, and the offset portion is the first section and the second It partially covers each of the first walls of the section.

According to an embodiment, the first wing includes a notch formed on one of the edges of the first wing extending parallel to the first edge and formed in a direction perpendicular to the direction of the first edge, the notch being a main plate And an offset portion of the first wing that is close to and not adjacent to the second wing.

According to an embodiment, the first wing includes a cut-out formed on each edge of the first wing formed in a direction perpendicular to the first direction.

According to an embodiment, the offset portion of the first wing is formed on the main portion extending in the direction of the first edge, one side and the other side of the main portion, and the offset portion is U-shaped around the main plate of the first wing. It includes a first branch and a second branch extending in a direction perpendicular to the first edge so as to be in shape, and the widths of the first and second branches are smaller than the width of the main portion.

According to an embodiment, the second wing includes a notch formed on one of the edges of the second wing extending parallel to the first edge and formed in a direction perpendicular to the direction of the first edge, the notch being a main plate And an offset portion of the second wing that is close to and not adjacent to the first wing.

According to one embodiment, the second wing includes a cut-out formed on each of the edges of the second wing formed in a direction perpendicular to the first direction.

According to one embodiment, each cut-out base is produced in a round shape.

According to one embodiment, the second wing comprises a main plate positioned in the same plane as the second wall of the central core of the first and second sections, and at least one edge of the main plate so as to be formed in a plane away from the plane of the main plate. An offset portion connected to the offset portion, the offset portion partially covering the second wall of the first section and the second section.

According to one embodiment, the offset portions of the first wing and the second wing are produced around the main plate.

According to an embodiment, the first portion of the first wing and the second portion of the first wing have an edge of the main plate oriented in a first direction and an edge of the main plate oriented in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. Extend along.

According to an embodiment, the first main bead and the second main bead extend in the first direction and the second direction. In this way, the main bead has a portion extending opposite the edge of the main plate oriented in the first direction and a portion extending opposite the edge of the main plate oriented in the second direction.

According to one embodiment, two adjacent edges of the notch are connected to each other using a fillet.

In this way, the fillet can be made to prevent the concentration of stress at the intersection between the two edges of the notch, creating a risk of forming the beginning of cracks.

According to one embodiment, the connection between the edge of the first part along the opening and the edge of the main plate along the opening is produced using fillets.

According to one embodiment, the connection between the edge of the second part along the opening and the edge of the main plate along the opening is produced using fillets.

According to one embodiment, the notch is delimited by the edge of the first portion, the edge of the second portion and the edge of the main plate.

According to one embodiment, the first wing comprises a third part connecting the first part and the second part according to the notch, and the notch is at the edge of the first part, the edge of the second part and the edge of the third part. The range is determined by

According to one embodiment, the third portion is located on the offset portion.

According to one embodiment, the present invention also provides a thermally insulated sealing tank for storing liquefied gas, the tank comprising at least a first tank wall and a second tank wall each comprising a carrier wall, the first tank The carrier wall of the wall and the carrier wall of the second tank wall form an angle together and touch each other in the area of the tank edge, each tank wall being supported by the carrier wall, from the carrier wall towards the inner space of the tank. A secondary thermal insulation barrier supported by a secondary thermal insulation barrier, a secondary sealing membrane supported by a secondary thermal insulation barrier, a primary thermal insulation barrier supported by the secondary sealing membrane, and a supported primary sealing membrane for contact with the liquefied gas. And the tank comprises the above-mentioned connecting beam located in the region of the tank edge, the connecting beam being fixed to the carrier wall of the first tank wall and the carrier wall of the second tank wall and the connecting beam is the first tank Configured to connect the secondary sealing membrane of the wall to the secondary sealing membrane of the second tank wall in a sealing manner, and to connect the secondary sealing membrane of the first tank wall to the primary sealing membrane of the secondary tank wall in a sealing manner. do.

According to one embodiment, the central core has a parallelogram-shaped cross section, the connecting wing protrudes toward the outside of the central core, and the connecting wing:

-Comprising a first secondary connecting wing connected to the first edge of the central core and located in a plane parallel to the secondary sealing membrane of the first tank wall, the first secondary connecting wing of the first tank wall It is welded to the secondary sealing membrane in a sealing method,

-A second secondary connecting wing connected to the second edge of the central core and located in a plane parallel to the secondary sealing membrane of the second tank wall, the second secondary connecting wing of the second tank wall It is welded to the secondary sealing membrane in a sealing method,

-Comprising a first primary connecting wing connected to the third edge of the central core and positioned in a plane parallel to the primary sealing membrane of the first tank wall, the first primary connecting wing of the first tank wall It is welded to the primary sealing membrane in a sealing method,

-A second primary connecting wing connected to the third edge of the central core and located in a plane parallel to the primary sealing membrane of the second tank wall, the second primary connecting wing of the second tank wall It is welded to the primary sealing membrane in a sealing manner.

According to one embodiment, each section comprises an anchoring wing protruding toward the outside of the central core, the anchoring wing comprising:

-Comprising a first secondary anchoring wing connected to the fourth edge of the central core and positioned in the same plane as the second secondary connecting wing, the first secondary anchoring wing being the carrier wall of the first tank wall Is fixed to,

-A second secondary anchoring wing connected to the fourth edge of the central core and positioned in the same plane as the first secondary connecting wing, the second secondary anchoring wing being the vehicle wall of the second tank wall Is fixed to,

-Comprising a first primary anchoring wing connected to the third edge of the central core and positioned in the same plane as the second primary connecting wing, the first primary anchoring wing being the carrier wall of the first tank wall Is fixed to,

-A second primary anchoring wing connected to the second edge of the central core and positioned in the same plane as the first primary connecting wing, the second primary anchoring wing being the vehicle wall of the second tank wall Is fixed to

Such tanks can be, for example, part of onshore storage installations for storing liquefied natural gas, or floating structures in coastal or deep seas, in particular liquid natural gas tankers, floating storage and regasfication units (FSRU), floating storage (FPSO). production, storage and offloading installation). Such a tank can also be used as a fuel reservoir in any type of tanker.

According to one embodiment, a tanker for transporting coolant products comprises a double hull and an above-mentioned tank arranged in the double hull.

According to one embodiment, the present invention also provides a conveying system for coolant products, the system comprising the above-mentioned tanker, an insulated pipe arranged to connect the tank installed in the hull of the tanker to a floating or land-based storage installation. And a pump to propel the flow of the coolant product between the tanks of the tanker in the floating or onshore-based storage installation through the insulated pipe.

According to one embodiment, the invention also provides a connection assembly for connecting a first section and a second section of a connecting beam of a thermally insulated sealing tank, the first section and the second section being aligned with each other along the tank edge and ,

The connection assembly comprises a first wing, a second wing forming an angle with the first wing, the first and second wings are connected to each other in the region of the crossing edge, the crossing edge extends in the first direction, and the first The wing includes a main plate extending from one side and the other side of the crossing edge in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, a first part connected to the main plate, and a second part connected to the main plate, and the first wing The first portion of the is separated in the first direction of the second portion of the first wing through a notch.

According to an embodiment, the first wing includes an edge of the main plate extending in a first direction so as to be formed in a plane different from the plane of the main plate and at least one edge of the main plate extending in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. And an offset portion connected to, wherein the first portion and the second portion are positioned on the offset portion, and the offset portion is to be fixed by overlapping on the first section and the second section.

According to one embodiment, the second wing comprises a main plate located on one side and the other side of the crossing edge,

The second wing includes an edge of the main plate extending in the first direction and an offset portion connected to at least one edge of the main plate extending in a third direction perpendicular to the first direction so as to be formed on a plane different from the plane of the main plate. And the offset portion is to be fixed by overlapping on the first section and the second section.

According to one embodiment, the offset portion is connected to an edge of the main plate extending in the first direction and two opposite edges of the main plate extending in the second or third direction.

According to one embodiment, the portion of the first wing comprising an offset portion and positioned on one side of the abutment edge has a larger dimension in the second direction than the other portion of the first wing positioned on the other side of the intersecting edge. The other portion of the first wing forms a first connecting wing and a first connecting portion of the first wing for being secured to the primary sealing membrane.

According to one embodiment, the portion of the second wing comprising an offset portion and located on one side of the crossing edge has a larger dimension in the third direction than the other portion of the second wing located on the other side of the crossing etch. The other portion of the second wing thus forms a second primary connecting wing and a second connecting portion of the first wing for fixing to the primary sealing membrane.

According to one embodiment, the present invention also provides a method for producing a connecting beam in a thermally insulated sealing tank, the method comprising:

-Arranging along the tank edge a first section and a second section of the connecting beam aligned with each other in the direction of the tank edge-each section is connected to the first wall along the first wall and the first edge of the central core A hollow central core comprising two walls and a connecting wing fixed to the central core and for fixing the secondary sealing membrane and the primary sealing membrane of the thermally insulated sealing tank, the first wall and the second wall of the tank And the first wall of the first and second section is parallel and defines a first assembly window at the junction between the two sections, and the second wall of the first section and the second section is parallel and Defining a second assembly window at the junction between the two sections;

-Providing an insulating element and placing the insulating element in the hollow central core;

-Providing a connection assembly having a shape that complements the assembly window-The connection assembly includes a first wing and a second wing connected to the first wing, and the first wing is a main plate, a first connected to the main plate. A portion and a second portion connected to the main plate, wherein the first portion of the first wing is separated from the second portion of the first wing in the direction of the tank edge by a notch;

-The first wing is parallel to the first wall of the first section and the first wall of the second section and closes the first assembly window, the main plate of the first wing being received in the first assembly window, and a second Placing the connecting assembly in the region of the assembly window such that the wing is parallel to the second wall of the first section and the second wall of the second section and closes the second assembly window,

-Overlap-weld the second wing to the second wall of the first section and to the second wall of the second section, and first part of the first wing with a first main bead extending in the direction of the tank edge. Over-welding to the first wall of the section and using a second main bead extending in the direction of the tank edge to over-weld the second portion of the first wing to the first wall of the second section.

According to one embodiment, the step of welding the first and second portions of the first wing to the first section and the second section, respectively, also includes a first secondary bead and a first secondary bead forming a weld return along the edge of the notch. It is implemented using a secondary bead of 2.

According to one embodiment, the invention also provides a method for loading or unloading such a tanker, wherein the coolant product is conveyed between the floating or land-based storage installation and the tank of the tanker via an insulating pipe.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The invention and other objects, details, features and advantages of the invention will be more clearly understood from the following description of a number of specific embodiments of the invention, which are presented by way of example purely non-limiting example with reference to the accompanying drawings.
1 is a partial perspective cutaway view of a thermally insulated sealing tank in the region of the junction between two walls.
2 is a partial perspective view of a connecting beam positioned in the region of the edge of the tank.
3 is an exploded perspective view of the connecting beam illustrated in FIG. 2.
4 is a perspective view of a connection assembly according to an embodiment.
5 is a front view of a first wing of the connection assembly according to the first embodiment.
6 is a front view of a first wing of a connection assembly according to a second embodiment.
7 is a schematic cutaway view of a tank of a liquid natural gas tanker comprising a connecting beam and a terminal for loading/unloading the tank.

Conveniently, the terms “on” or “above” will refer to a position that is located closer to the interior of the tank, and the terms “under” or “below” relate to the orientation of the tank walls with respect to the Earth's gravitational field. Without, it will refer to a position that is located closer to the vehicle structure. In the same way, the terms "above" or "in" will refer to elements located closer to the interior of the tank and "lower than" or "outside" refer to elements located closer to the vehicle structure. Refers to.

A thermally insulated sealing tank 71 and in particular a connecting beam for such a tank 71 will be described below.

For example, the tank 71 integrated into the hull of the tanker is a polyhedron. For example, the tank 71 has a longitudinal base wall, a longitudinal roof wall, two longitudinal flank walls and a lower and upper longitudinal chamfered walls. Can include.

The general structure of such a tank 71 is well known. Thus, taking into account that all walls of the tank can have a similar general structure, only one wall zone of the tank will be described.

Referring to Fig. 1, a multilayer structure of a tank wall 1 according to an embodiment will now be described. The tank wall (1) is a secondary thermally insulated barrier (6), a sealing secondary membrane (7), primary thermally insulated against the carrier wall (5), from the outside to the inside, in the thickness direction of the tank. And a primary sealing membrane 9 adapted to come into contact with a barrier 8 that is stored in the tank.

The primary thermal insulation barrier 8 and the secondary thermal insulation barrier 6 are each constituted by a thermal insulation element and more specifically a parallelepiped thermal insulation box 10 juxtaposed according to a regular pattern. Different techniques are known for manufacturing such insulating elements. For example, each heat insulating box 10 is formed as described in publication FR2877638. Each insulating box 10 is held on the carrier wall 5 by means of an anchoring member which can be produced in a number of ways according to the known technique, for example as described in publication FR2973098. The insulating box 10 of the primary thermal insulation barrier 8 and the secondary thermal insulation barrier 6 carries a primary membrane 9 and a secondary membrane 7 respectively.

The secondary membrane 7 and the primary membrane 9 are, for example, a series of metals called strkes 11 that are parallel and have folding edges and are alternately arranged with an elongated welded support 12. It is composed by a plate. The strake 11 and the weld support 12 are produced from an alloy with a low coefficient of expansion. The strake 11 and the weld support 12 are, for example, iron and nickel alloys ^{produced from Invar®, i.e. having a coefficient of expansion typically between 1.2x10 -6} and 2x10 ^-6 K ^{-1, or} Is an iron alloy with a high manganese content, typically in the order of 7x10 ^-6 K ^-1. The secondary membrane 7 and the primary membrane 9 typically have a thickness of 0.5 to 1.5 mm and preferably have a thickness of 0.7 mm.

The strake 11 comprises, in the direction of the width, a flat center strip that bears against the insulating box 10 and the folding side edges. The folding edge extends substantially perpendicular to the planar center strip. The folding edge of the strake 11 is welded to the welding support 12 in a sealing manner. Further details regarding the production of such membranes can be found in publication FR2968284.

The angular zone of the tank will now be described in more detail. 1 is a perspective view of an edge zone between a first tank wall 1 and a second tank wall 2.

In the zone of this zone, the carrier wall 5 of the first wall 1 and the carrier wall 5 of the second wall 2 touch in the zone of the tank edge 3, and the two tank walls The secondary membrane 7 and the primary membrane 9 of (1,2) are transported, on the one hand, on the carrier wall 5 of the first wall 1 and, on the other hand, of the second wall 2 The secondary sealing membrane 7 and the primary sealing membrane 9 are connected on the sieve wall 5 by means of an anchoring device which can be anchored.

More specifically, the secondary membrane 7 and the primary membrane 9 of the first wall 1 are vertically anchored on the carrier wall 5 of the second wall 2. In the same way, the secondary membrane 7 and the primary membrane 9 of the second wall 2 are vertically anchored on the carrier wall 5 of the first wall 1.

The anchoring device can cause the secondary membrane 7 and the stretching forces resulting from the thermal contraction of the primary membrane 9 to be absorbed. The anchoring device can also allow forces due to deformation of the hull and in particular bending of the longitudinal wall of the tanker, corresponding to the beam effect of the tanker, to be absorbed.

The anchoring device is formed in an elongated form by means of a connecting beam 13. The connecting beams 13 are aligned with each other in the direction of the tank edge 3 and form the assembly window formed by the first assembly window 16a and the second assembly window 16b. It includes at least a first section 14 and a second section 15 as defined in.

Each section 14, 15 is a cavity having a cross section in the form of a parallelogram, which in this case is rectangular, since in the example illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 3, the two carrier walls 5 form a right angle. It includes a central core 17. Like all sealing membranes, the connecting beam 13 can be produced from an alloy with a low coefficient of expansion, in particular with a metal sheet of 0.5 to 1.5 mm in thickness.

In order to hold the connecting beam 13 on each side of the edge 3, each of the vehicle walls 5 comprises a primary flat anchoring portion 18 and a secondary flat anchoring portion 19. The distance from the secondary flat anchoring portion 19 to the edge 3 corresponds to the thickness of the secondary thermally insulating barrier 6. The distance between the flat anchoring portions 18 and 19 corresponds to the thickness of the primary thermal insulation barrier 8.

As may be better seen in FIGS. 2 and 3, the connecting beam 13 is:

-A cavity having a rectangular or square cross-section (in the case of an edge zone with a right angle) equal to the distance between the primary flat anchoring portion 18 and the secondary flat anchoring portion 19 of the carrier wall whose side lengths are parallel on each side. To form a central core 17, the common central core is a first wall 20 and a second wall 21 connected to the first wall 20 along the first edge 24 of the central core 17, A third wall 22 connected to the first wall 20 in the region of the second edge 25 and a fourth wall 23 connected to the second wall 21 in the region of the third edge 26. And the fourth wall 23 is connected to the third wall 21 in the region of the fourth edge 27;

-Connecting wings (28,29,30,31) projecting outward of the central core in the direction of the primary sealing membrane (9) and the secondary sealing membrane (7) of the first and second tank walls (1,2) ), the connecting wings 28,29,30,31 have the secondary sealing membrane 7 of the tank walls 1,2 connected in a sealing manner and the primary sealing of the tank walls 1,2 It is possible to have the membrane 9 connected in a sealing manner;

-Anchoring wings (32,33,34,35) projecting outward of the central core (17) in the direction of the carrier wall (5) of the tank wall (1,2) and fixed to the carrier wall (5). It is constructed by flat metal sheets that are welded together to form.

The first wall 20 of the first and second sections 14,15 is parallel and defines a first assembly window 16a at the junction between the two sections 14,15, and the first and second sections The second wall 21 of (14,15) is parallel and defines a second assembly window (16b) at the junction between the two sections (14,15).

The connecting wing is:

-Comprising a first secondary connecting wing 28 connected to the first edge 24 of the central core 17 and located in a plane parallel to the secondary sealing membrane 7 of the first tank wall 1 And, the first secondary connection wing 28 is welded to the secondary sealing membrane 7 of the first tank wall 1 in a sealing manner,

-Comprising a second secondary connecting wing 29 connected to the second edge 25 of the central core 17 and located in a plane parallel to the secondary sealing membrane 7 of the second tank wall 2 And, the second secondary connection wing 29 is welded to the secondary sealing membrane 7 of the second tank wall 2 in a sealing manner,

-Comprising a first primary connecting wing 30 connected to the third edge 26 of the central core 17 and located in a plane parallel to the primary sealing membrane 9 of the first tank wall 1 And, the first primary connection wing 30 is welded to the primary sealing membrane 9 of the first tank wall 1 in a sealing manner,

-Comprising a second primary connecting wing 31 connected to the third edge 26 of the central core 17 and located in a plane parallel to the primary sealing membrane 9 of the second tank wall 2 And, the second primary connecting wing 31 is welded to the primary sealing membrane 9 of the second tank wall 2 in a sealing manner.

The anchoring wing is:

-Comprising a first secondary anchoring wing 32 connected to the fourth edge 27 of the central core 17 and located in the same plane as the second secondary connecting wing 29, the first second The primary anchoring wing 32 is fixed to the secondary flat anchoring portion 18 of the first tank wall 1,

-A second secondary anchoring wing 33 connected to the fourth edge 27 of the central core 17 and located in the same plane as the first secondary connecting wing 28, and a second second The primary anchoring wing 33 is fixed to the secondary flat anchoring portion 18 of the second tank wall 2,

-Comprising a first primary anchoring wing 34 connected to the third edge 26 of the central core 17 and located in the same plane as the second primary connecting wing 31, the first one The primary anchoring wing 34 is fixed to the primary flat anchoring portion 19 of the first tank wall 1,

-Comprising a second primary anchoring wing 35 connected to the second edge 25 of the central core 17 and positioned in the same plane as the first primary connecting wing 30, the second one The primary anchoring wing 35 is fixed to the primary flat anchoring portion 19 of the second tank wall 2.

In order to ensure the continuity of insulation in the region of the connecting beam 17, the insulating element 36 forms a secondary thermally insulating barrier 6 and a primary thermally insulating barrier 8 in the region of the tank edge 3 In order to be positioned within the hollow central core 17 and between the anchoring wings 32-35. The insulating element 36 may be, for example, in the form of a box filled with an insulating material such as glass wool or a block of perlite or insulating foam.

As described above, in particular as can be seen in Fig. 3, the connecting beam 13 extends the first assembly window 16a and the second assembly window 16b at the junction between two adjacent sections 14,15. Have. The assembly windows 16a, 16b are formed by cut-outs in the first wall 20 and the second wall 21 of the central core 17. In particular these assembly windows 16a, 16b using metal joints 37 are welded to the third wall 22 of the first section 14 to the third wall 22 of the second section 15. Thus, the fourth wall 23 of the first section 14 is welded to the fourth wall 23 of the second section 15 and the secondary connecting wings 28 and 29 of the first section 14 are It can be welded to the secondary connecting wings 28 and 29 of the second section 15 in a sealing manner. This means that the third wall (22), the fourth wall (23) and the secondary connecting wings (28,29) are between the first tank wall (1) and the second tank wall (2) in the region of the connecting beam (13). This is because it enables the continuity of the secondary sealing membrane 7. Moreover, the assembly windows 16a and 16b allow the insertion of the insulating element 36 within the hollow central core 17.

The connecting beam 13 complements the assembly window 16 and comprises a connecting assembly 38 having a shape that is fixed to the first section 14 and the second section 15 in the region of the assembly window 16a, 16b. do. The insulating element 36 is placed in the common central core 17 before being fixed in the region of the assembly windows 16a, 16b because the connecting assembly 38 blocks the windows 16a, 16b.

The connection assembly 38 is parallel to the first wing 39 parallel to the first wall 20 of the central core 17 and the second wall 21 of the central core 17 and forms a cross-shaped cross-section. It includes a second wing 40 intersecting with the first wing 39 for this purpose. The first wing 39 thus extends to one side and the other side of the second wing 40 in the region of the crossing edge 61 and the second wing 40 is the first wing 39 in the region of the crossing edge 61. ) And extends to the other side. In this way, the first wing 39 on the one hand is aligned with the first wall 20 of the central core 17 of each section 14, 15, and on the other hand, the first wing 39 is Aligned with the first primary connecting wing 30 of (14,15). In the same way, the second wing 40 on the one hand is aligned with the second wall 21 of the central core 17 of each section 14, 15, and on the other hand the second wing 40 is formed in each section ( 14,15) is aligned with the second primary connecting wing 29.

The continuity of the primary sealing membrane 9 between the first tank wall 1 and the second tank wall 2 is created by the primary connecting wings 30 and 31. However, also to ensure this continuity in the area of the assembly window 16, the connection assembly 38 is sealed to both the first wing 39 and the second wing 40, and the primary connection wing 30. It includes a curved metal joint 41 on one side and the other side of the wing (39,40) to be welded to the ,31).

In order to securely connect the first section 14 to the second section 15 as illustrated in FIG. 2, the first wing 39 is It is over-welded to the first wall 20 of the section 15. The second wing 40 is over-welded to the second wall 21 of the first section 14 and the second wall 21 of the second section 15.

4-6 illustrate the connection assembly 38 and in particular the first wing 39 and the second wing 40 in a more detailed manner.

As can be seen in Fig. 4, the second wing 40 has a main plate 42 and a main plate located in the same plane as in the second wall 21 of the central core 17 of each section 14,15. It includes an offset portion 43 connected to the edge of the main plate 942 located under the first wing 39 so as to be formed in a plane away from the plane of the plate 42. The offset portion 43 thus covers the second wall 21 of the first section 14 and the second wall 21 of the second section 15. Thus, it is the offset portion 43 of the second wing 40 that is welded to the sections 14 and 15. A portion of the main plate 42 and the crossing edge 61 located above the first wing 39 are to be welded to that position during assembly, with the second primary of the first section 14 and the second section 15 It forms a second connecting portion 60 of the second wing 40 aligned with the connecting wing 31.

The first wing 39 is configured differently from the second wing 40 because it requires more flexibility to limit the concentration of greater stress on the wing. This is why FIGS. 5 and 6 illustrate in detail the first wing 39 of the connection assembly 38.

5 shows a first embodiment of the first wing 39. In this embodiment, the first wing 39 is of the main plate 44 and the main plate 44 which are located in the same plane as the first wall 20 of the central core 17 of each section 14,15. It includes an offset portion 45 connected to the edge of the main plate 44 located under the second wing 40 so as to be formed in a plane away from the plane.

The offset portion 45 of the first wing 39 is an overlap-welded first portion 46 to the first wall 20 of the first section 14 and the first wall 20 of the second section 15. ), and a second part 47 that is over-welded. The first part 46 and the second part 47 are separated from each other in the direction of the tank edge 3 by a notch 48.

In order to prevent the concentration of stress in the region of the notch 48, the two adjacent edges of the notch 48 are connected to each other using a fillet 49.

In the same manner as the second wing 40, the first wing 39 extends on one side and the other side of the crossing edge 61. On one side, the first wing 39 comprises an offset portion 45 to be secured to the first and second sections 14, 15 by overlap in the region of the assembly window 16A. Part of the first wing 39, which is located on the other side of the crossing edge 61, is welded to that position during assembly, so that the first primary connecting wing of the first section 14 and the second section 15 ( 30) to form a first connecting portion 59 of the first wing 39 aligned.

As can be seen schematically in FIG. 5, the first portion 46 is formed by a first main bead 50 formed on the circumference of the first portion 46 and along the edge of the notch 48. It is welded to the first wall 20 of the first section 14 by means of a welding return formed by the secondary bead 52. The second part 47 is a weld return formed by a second main bead 51 formed on the periphery of the second part 47 and by a second secondary bead 53 along the edge of the notch 48. By welding to the first wall 20 of the second section 15.

Moreover, as illustrated in FIG. 4, the first wing 39 and the second wing 40 are formed on each of the edges of the first wing 39 and the second wing 40, respectively, and in the first direction. It includes a notch 54 extending in a vertical direction. The notch 54 may allow the main plates 42 and 44 and the offset portions 43 and 45 to be separated.

6 shows a second embodiment of the first wing 39. This embodiment differs from the first embodiment of Fig. 5 as a result of the size of the notch 48. This is because, in the first embodiment, the notch 48 extends as far as possible from the main plate 44, while in the second embodiment the notch 48 is located only on the offset portion 45. In this way, in this embodiment, the offset portion 45 comprises a third portion 55 connecting the first portion 46 and the second portion 47 on the same line as the notch 48. The notch 48 is thus formed by the edge of the first portion 46, the edge of the second portion 46 and the edge of the third portion 55. Moreover, in this embodiment, the offset portion 45 of the first wing 39 has the offset portion 45 forming a U-shape around the main plate 56 of the first wing, and the first and second branches The main portion 56 extending in the direction of the first edge 24, and one side and the other side of the main portion 56 so that the width of 57 and 58 is smaller than the width of the main portion 56, and And a first branch 57 and a second branch 58 extending in a direction perpendicular to the first edge.

Referring to FIG. 7, a cut-away view of the liquid natural gas tanker 70 is generally in prismatic form and shows a sealing and insulating tank 71 mounted on the double hull 72 of the tanker. The walls of the tank 71 include a primary sealing barrier for contacting the liquid natural gas contained in the tank, a secondary sealing barrier and a primary sealing barrier disposed between the primary sealing barrier and the double hull 72 of the tanker. It includes two insulating barriers disposed between the secondary sealing barrier and between the secondary sealing barrier and the double hull 72, respectively.

In a known manner, the charge/discharge pipe 73 disposed on the upper bridge of the tanker may be connected to a shore or port terminal to transfer loads of LNG to or from the tank 71, using a suitable connector. I can.

7 shows an example of a coastal terminal comprising a loading and unloading station 75, an underwater pipe 76 and a land-based installation 77. The loading and unloading station 75 is a fixed off-shore installation comprising a movable arm 74 and a tower 78 supporting the movable arm 74. . The movable arm 74 carries a bundle of insulated flexible pipes 79 that can be connected to the loading/unloading pipes 73. The oriented movable arm 74 adapts to all gauges of the tanker. A connecting pipe, not illustrated, extends into the tower 78. The loading and unloading station 75 may allow the liquid natural gas tanker 70 to be loaded and unloaded from/to the land-based installation 77. This installation comprises a liquefied gas storage tank 80 and a connecting pipe 81 which is connected to the loading or unloading station 75 via an underwater pipe 76. The submersible pipe 76 is a loading or unloading station with liquefied gas over a large distance, e.g. 5 km, which can allow the liquid natural gas tanker 70 to remain very far from shore during loading and unloading operations It can be transported between (75) and the land-based installation (77).

In order to produce the required pressure to transport the liquefied gas, an onboard pump is used in the tanker 70 and/or a land-based installation 77 is equipped with the pump and/or a loading and unloading station 75 Fit this pump.

Although the present invention has been described in connection with several specific embodiments, it is apparent that the present invention is not limited thereto and includes all technical equivalents and combinations thereof of the described means falling within the scope of the present invention.

The use of the terms "having", "having" or "comprising" and their complex forms does not exclude the presence of elements or steps other than those set forth in the claims.

In the claims, any reference signs in parentheses should not be construed as a limitation of the claims.

Claims (18)

As a connecting beam 13 for a thermally insulated sealing tank 71 for storing liquefied gas,
The connecting beam 13 comprises a first section 14 and a second section 15 aligned with each other in a first direction for extending the tank edge 3, each section 14,15 being a first A second wall 21 connected to the first wall 21 along the wall 20 and the first edge 24 of the central core 17, and a thermally insulated sealing tank fixed to the central core 17 and A secondary sealing membrane (7) and a connecting wing (28,29,30,31) for fixing the primary sealing membrane (9), wherein the first wall (20) and the second The wall (21) is for extending through the primary insulating space of the tank, the first wall (20) of the first and second sections (14,15) is parallel and between the two sections (14,15) In the connection, a first assembly window (16a) is defined and the second wall (21) of the first and second sections (14, 15) is parallel and the connection between the two sections (14,15) Define a second assembly window in
The connecting beam 13 complements the assembly window 16a, 16b and has a shape fixed to the region of the assembly window 16a, 16b to the first section 14 and the second section 15. Comprising an assembly 38, the connection assembly 38 being parallel to the first wall 20 of the first section 14 and the first wall 20 of the second section 15 and A first wing (39) closing the assembly window (16a), and a second wall (21) of the first section (14) and the second section (15) connected to the first wing (39). 2 comprising a second wing (40) parallel to the wall (21) and closing the second assembly window (16b),
The second wing 40 is lap-welded to the second wall 21 of the first section 14 and the second wall 21 of the second section 15, 1 wing (39) is a main plate (44) received in the first assembly window (16a), connected to the main plate (44) and overlap-welded to the first wall (20) of the first section (14) A second part (47) connected to the main plate (44) and overlap-welded to the first wall (20) of the second section (15), the first wing The first part 46 of 39 is separated in the first direction of the second part 47 of the first wing 39 by a notch 48, and the first part of the first wing 39 46 and the second part 47 are respectively in the first section 14 and the second section 15 using a first main bead 50 and a second main bead 51 extending in the first direction. Welded, connecting beams. The method of claim 1,
The first part 46 and the second part 47 of the first wing 39 use a first secondary bead 52 and a second secondary bead 53 to form the first section ( 14) and further welded to the second section (15) respectively, forming a weld return along the edge of the notch (48). The method according to claim 1 or 2,
The central core 17 has a hollow cross-section in the form of a parallelogram and is connected to the first wall 20 in the region of the second edge 25 and a third wall 22 and a third A fourth wall 23 connected to the second wall 21 in the region of the edge 26, the fourth wall 23 being the third wall in the region of the fourth edge 27 ( 22), the third and fourth walls (22, 23) forming a secondary sealing membrane (7) along the tank edge (3). The method of claim 3,
The connecting wing protrudes toward the outside of the central core 12, the connecting wing:
-Comprising a first secondary connecting wing 28 connected to the second edge 25 of the central core 17, wherein the first secondary connecting wing 28 is a secondary sealing membrane of the tank It is to be welded to (7) in a sealing method,
-It includes a second secondary connecting wing 29 connected to the third edge 26 of the central core 17, and the second secondary connecting wing 29 is the secondary sealing of the tank It is to be welded to the membrane 7 in a sealing manner,
-It includes a first primary connection wing (30) connected to the first edge (24) of the central core (17), the first primary connection wing (30) is the primary sealing of the tank It is intended to be welded to the membrane in a sealing manner,
-A second primary connecting wing 31 connected to the first edge 24 of the central core 17 and forming an angle with the first primary connecting wing 30, and a second The primary connecting wing (31) of the connecting beam, in which the primary sealing membrane (9) of the tank is welded in a sealing manner. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
The main plate 44 is located in the same plane as the first wall 20 of the central core 17 of the first and second sections 14,15, and the first part 46 and the first At least one of the main plate 44 so that the second part 47 is located at a corner opposite to the main plate 44, and the first wing 39 is formed in a plane away from the plane of the main plate 44. Comprising an offset portion 45 connected to the edge of, the first portion 46 and the second portion 47 are located on the offset portion 45, the offset portion 45 A connecting beam, which partially covers the first wall (20) of the first section (14) and the second section (15) respectively. The method of claim 5,
The first wing 39 extends in parallel with the first edge 24 and is formed on one of the edges of the first wing 39 formed in a direction perpendicular to the direction of the first edge 24 An offset portion of the first wing 39 that is close to and non-contiguous to the main plate 44 and the second wing 40 ( 45), the connecting beam. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 6,
The second wing 40 comprises a main plate 42 located in the same plane as the second wall 21 of the central core 17 of the first and second sections 14, 15, and the main plate And an offset portion 43 connected to at least one edge of the main plate 42 so as to be formed in a plane away from the plane of 42, wherein the offset portion 43 comprises the first section 14 and the first section. The connecting beam, which partially covers the second wall (21) of the two section (15). The method of claim 7,
The second wing 40 extends in parallel with the first edge 24 and is formed on one of the edges of the second wing 40 formed in a direction perpendicular to the direction of the first edge 24 And a notch 54 that separates the main plate 42 and an offset portion 43 of the second wing 40 that is close to and not adjacent to the first wing 39. Consisting of, connecting beams. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 8,
The connecting beam, wherein two adjacent edges of the notch (48) are connected to each other by a fillet (49). The method according to any one of claims 1 to 9,
The notch (48) is delimited by an edge of the first portion (46), an edge of the second portion (47) and an edge of the main plate (44). The method according to claim 5 or 6,
The first wing (39) comprises a third part (55) connecting the first part (46) and the second part (47) according to the notch (48), the third part (55) Is located on the offset portion 45, the notch 48 being bounded by the edge of the first portion 46, the edge of the second portion 47 and the edge of the third portion 55 Is determined, connecting beams. As a thermally insulated sealing tank 71 for storing liquefied gas,
The tank (71) comprises at least a first tank wall (1) and a second tank wall (2) each comprising a carrier wall (5), the transport of the first tank wall (1) The sieve wall 5 and the carrier wall 5 of the second tank wall 2 form an angle together and touch each other in the area of the tank edge 3, each tank wall 1,2 being the tank From the carrier wall 5 towards the inner space of the secondary thermal insulation barrier 6 supported by the carrier wall 5, a secondary sealing membrane supported by a secondary thermal insulation barrier 6 (7), comprising a primary thermal insulation barrier (8) supported by the secondary sealing membrane (7) and a supported primary sealing membrane (9) for contact with the liquefied gas, the tank comprising the tank edge It comprises a connecting beam (13) as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 11, which is located in the zone of (3), the connecting beam (13) being (5) and fixed to the carrier wall (5) of the second tank wall (2) and the connecting beam (13) connects the secondary sealing membrane (7) of the first tank wall (1) to the second tank. To connect the secondary sealing membrane 7 of the wall 2 in a sealing manner, and connect the secondary sealing membrane 7 of the first tank wall 1 to the primary sealing membrane of the second tank wall 2. (9) A sealing tank configured to be connected in a sealing manner. The method of claim 12,
The central core 17 has a parallelogram-shaped cross section and the connecting wing protrudes toward the outside of the central core 17, and the connecting wing:
-A first secondary connecting wing (29) connected to the first edge (24) of the central core (17) and located in a plane parallel to the secondary sealing membrane (7) of the first tank wall (1) ), and the first secondary connection wing 28 is welded to the secondary sealing membrane 7 of the first tank wall 1 in a sealing manner,
-A second secondary connecting wing (29) connected to the second edge (25) of the central core (17) and located in a plane parallel to the secondary sealing membrane (7) of the second tank wall (7) Including, the second secondary connection wing (29) is welded to the secondary sealing membrane (7) of the second tank wall (2) in a sealing manner,
-A first primary connecting wing (30) connected to the third edge (26) of the central core (17) and located in a plane parallel to the primary sealing membrane (9) of the first tank wall (1) The first primary connection wing 30 is welded to the primary sealing membrane 9 of the first tank wall 1 in a sealing manner,
-A second primary connecting wing (31) connected to the third edge (26) of the central core (17) and located in a plane parallel to the primary sealing membrane (9) of the second tank wall (2) ), wherein the second primary connecting wing (31) is welded to the primary sealing membrane (9) of the second tank wall (2) in a sealing manner. As a tanker (70) for transporting the coolant product,
The tanker comprising a double hull (72) and a tank (71) as claimed in claim 12 or 13 arranged in the double hull. As a conveying system for coolant products,
The system connects the tanker (70) claimed in claim 14, the tank (71) installed on the hull of the tanker to a floating or ground-based storage installation (77). An insulated pipe (73,79,76,81) arranged for transport, comprising a pump for propulsion of a flow of coolant product through the insulated pipe between the floating or land-based storage installation and the tank of the tanker. system. As a connecting assembly 38 for connecting the first section 14 and the second section 15 of the connecting beam 13 of the thermally insulated sealing tank,
The first section 14 and the second section 15 are aligned with each other along the tank edge 3,
The connection assembly 38 includes a first wing 39 and a second wing 40 forming an angle with the first wing, and the first and second wings 39 and 40 are intersecting edges 61 ) Are connected to each other in a region, the crossing edge extends in a first direction, and the first wing 39 is at one side and the other side of the crossing edge 61 in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. A main plate 44 extending from, a first part 46 connected to the main plate 44, and a second part 47 connected to the main plate 44, and the first wing 39 A first part (46) of) is separated in a first direction of a second part (47) of the first wing (39) through a notch (48). As a method for producing a connecting beam 13 in a thermally insulated sealing tank,
The above method,
-Arranging along the tank edge 3 the first section 14 and the second section 15 of the connecting beam 13 aligned with each other in the direction of the tank edge 3-each section (14,15) is a common central core comprising a first wall (20) and a second wall (21) connected to the first wall (20) along the first edge (24) of the central core (17). (17) and a connecting wing (28,29,30,31) fixed to the central core (17) and for fixing the secondary sealing membrane (7) and the primary sealing membrane (9) of the thermally insulating sealing tank. And the first wall 20 and the second wall 21 are for extending through the primary insulating space of the tank and the first wall 20 of the first and second sections 14 and 15 are parallel and A first assembly window (16a) is defined at the junction between the two sections (14,15), the second wall (21) of the first section and the second section (14,15) being parallel and the two sections ( Defining a second assembly window (16b) at the junction between 14,15) -;
-Providing an insulating element (36) and placing the insulating element (36) in the hollow central core (17);
-Providing a connection assembly (38) having a shape that complements the assembly windows (16a, 16b)-The connection assembly (38b) is a first wing (39) and a first connected to the first wing (39). Including 2 wings 40, the first wing 39 is a main plate 44, a first part 46 connected to the main plate 44, and the main plate 44 It comprises a second part 47 which is connected, the first part 46 of the first wing 39 by a notch 48 in the direction of the tank edge 3 in the direction of the first wing ( Separated from the second part 47 of 39) -;
-The first wing (39) is parallel to the first wall (20) of the first section (14) and the first wall (20) of the second section (15) and extends the first assembly window (16a). Closing, so that the main plate 44 of the first wing 39 is accommodated in the first assembly window 16a, and the second wing 40 is of the first section 14 A connection assembly (38) in the region of the assembly window (16a, 16b) parallel to the second wall (21) and the second wall (21) of the second section (15) and to close the second assembly window (16b) Placing it;
-Lap-welded the second wing (40) to the second wall (21) of the first section (14) and the second wall (21) of the second section (15), The first part 46 of the first wing 39 is connected to the first wall of the first section 14 using a first main bead 50 extending in the direction of the tank edge 3. Over-welding (20) and extending in the direction of the tank edge (3) the second part (47) of the first wing (39) using a second main bead (51) is attached to the second section (15). ) Over-welding the first wall (20). As a method for loading or unloading the tanker (70) claimed in claim 14,
The method, wherein the coolant product is conveyed through an insulated pipe (73,79,76,81) between the floating or land-based storage installation (77) and the tank of the tanker (71).

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