RU2565160C1 - Life boat protection system located at bulwark - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: transport.

SUBSTANCE: claimed device (20) has hole (10) for protection of life boat released by gravity, said life boat being located behind said hole. Device comprises membrane (5) to close hole (10) and cutter (7) to cut membrane (5) through in emergency to rule out membrane resistance to passage of life boat through said hole. Besides, invention discloses the application of this protective device in sea water and marine stricture provided with at least one protective device.

EFFECT: higher efficiency of protection against wave shocks, fast release of life boat in emergency.

12 cl, 12 dwg

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a protection system for lifeboats deployed by dropping by its own gravity.

State of the art

Gravity rescue boats are used on platform support vessels and on offshore structures. A davit with a rescue boat is a long-term structure installed on a ship or offshore structure during the entire period of their service, while the rescue boat is in a position of readiness for launching if necessary. The davits of the rescue boats are located in places where there is free access to the sea, therefore, if necessary, the released rescue boat may fall directly into the sea at some distance from the structure.

In most marine structures, the davit is set above the level of solid and traveling waves and, therefore, beyond the direct impact of sea water. However, due to the tendency to build smaller offshore structures, there is an aggravating problem of the impossibility of installing a davit at the required height above sea level. This is also a problem for floating systems for oil production, storage and offloading (FPSO systems from English floating production, storage and offloading), where it is difficult to set the vessel in the direction of the surrounding waves.

Under conditions of a strong continuous wave, the impact force during short-term wave impacts can reach 400 tons per square meter. Such forces can easily damage the design of the davit and rescue boat.

Therefore, there is a need for a device for protecting systems of gravity rescue boats that can prevent the action of waves on the davit and rescue boat systems.

Disclosure of invention

An object of the present invention is to provide effective protection for a rescue boat discharged under the influence of gravity from wave impacts affecting a marine structure or the vessel where said rescue boat is located.

This problem is solved using a protective device for bulwark with a hole containing a frame, a membrane attached to the frame in a taut state, and a cutting device. The frame and the cutting device comprise fastening means configured to laterally attach to the bulwark structure surrounding the hole. The cutting device can be displaced to the frame under the influence of a moving load, in particular, released under the action of gravity of the rescue boat, and the membrane is cut through.

The membrane provides protection against shocks of destructive waves and solid waves, while creating a safe place for the rescue boat to be at the reach of the surrounding sea. This ensures quick release of the boat in an emergency, and the cutting device pushed by the falling rescue boat cuts through the membrane, so the rescue boat can immediately fall into the sea. This creates a highly efficient way for a rescue boat to pass through a safety device.

In one aspect of the invention, the frame comprises a membrane biasing means configured to raise and lower the membrane relative to the bulwark opening. If an emergency occurs during calm weather, when there is no need for protection from the waves, the membrane can be lowered, leaving a clear passage for the rescue boat. It is also possible to remove the membrane for maintenance or to replace individual parts or the entire rescue boat and / or davit.

In another aspect of the invention, the cutting device comprises pivoting members provided with cutters that face toward the frame when attached to a bulwark. Since the cutting device contains cutters of the rotary elements, moving the rescue boat to the cutting device automatically rotates the rotary elements forward in the direction of the membrane. This movement causes the incisors to enter the membrane, cutting through it and freeing the passage for the falling rescue boat. Since the cutting of the membrane is carried out under the influence of a falling rescue boat, it does not depend on the power supply, which can be essential in emergency situations, in particular in case of fire, when the electricity can be turned off.

In one aspect of the invention, the cutting device also includes an integrated pivot device configured to bias the cutting device toward the frame structure or membrane. The rotary device can move the rotary elements with cutters to the membrane, while the falling rescue boat pushes the cutters directly to the membrane. Since the cutting action begins almost simultaneously with the movement of the rescue boat, the risk of delaying the rescue boat by the membrane is minimized.

In yet another aspect of the invention, a cutting device is attached to a bulwark structure between a frame or membrane and a gravity rescue boat or davit at a predetermined distance from the frame or membrane.

Since the cutting device is located at a distance from the membrane, free space is formed for displacement of the membrane under the influence of shocks of destructive waves, excluding the contact of the membrane with the cutters. In addition, since the cutters of the pivoting elements are turned toward the membrane, the opposite side of the pivoting elements serves as protection of the rescue boat from the cutters. Thus, the rescue boat, when passing through the bulwark passage, is not in danger of direct contact with the cutting device of the protection system.

In one aspect of the invention, the frame comprises a rotary device, in particular pulleys, wherein the membrane is connected to the frame by cables running through the pulleys and brought to the winch. Since the membrane is equipped with a winding system, it becomes possible to lower and raise the membrane, opening and closing the passage for the boat in the bulwark depending on the needs and weather conditions.

In one aspect of the invention, the membrane holding cables are arranged in guides mounted on each side of the membrane. Guides provide stable fastening of the membrane. If the membrane is lowered or raised, the guide may also contribute to the controlled movement of the membrane and adjacent structures.

In one aspect of the invention, the pivoting elements are in the form of elongated levers that comprise pivoting fasteners located at one end of the lever and cutters located along one side of the lever. These elongated levers form a light and thin design of the tool holders, which allows you to simply move or rotate the levers in an emergency.

In one aspect of the invention, the elongated arms are tapering, with fastening means securing the arms to the bulwark located at the wide ends of the arms. The tapered shape of the elongated arms provides a sufficient surface for attaching the arm to the bulwark. The attachment of cutters, in particular knives, knife blades, knife blades, punches or any other elements suitable for cutting the membrane, to the lever usually requires less materials and space than attaching the rotary lever to the bulwark. Therefore, it is preferable to reduce material and weight by removing excess material from lever parts surrounding the cutters.

In one aspect of the invention, the membrane is connected to the frame by means of clamping holders that are located in the mounting frame and hold fasteners located in predetermined areas along the edges of the membrane. The frame can be attached directly to the surface of the bulwark, while providing an additional connecting device for the membrane. The mounting frame can also be integrated into the frame unit of the safety device. The attachment site, containing the mounting frame and fasteners, gives additional rigidity to the connection of the membrane, increasing its resistance to forces acting from the surrounding sea.

The invention also relates to a marine structure comprising at least one protective device described above. The use of protective devices on offshore structures, in particular on platforms, ships, FPSO systems and other similar objects, makes it possible to place a davit with a rescue boat near the sea without the risk of wave impacts or damage to the davit and rescue boat. Thus, the protective device allows the use of gravity-rescue boats on structures and small vessels where it is not possible to place the davit at a safe distance from the sea. Since gravity rescue boats provide a more reliable rescue tool than lighter structures, the proposed device improves safety in a marine environment.

The invention also relates to the use of the protective device described above as a protective device for a rescue boat discharged by gravity and for a davit located in a marine environment.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Below, with reference to the accompanying drawings, the invention is described in more detail on the example of non-limiting variants of its implementation, while the drawings show:

FIG. 1 is a module from a gravity rescue boat and davit, equipped with the first version of the proposed protection system in a passive position,

FIG. 2 - protection system of FIG. 1 in the activated position,

FIG. 3 - protection system of FIG. 1, prone to shock,

FIG. 4 is a second embodiment of a security system,

FIG. 5 - trajectory of descent discharged by gravity

rescue boat freed from davit

FIG. 6-8 are enlarged images of three consecutive positions of a rescue boat released under the action of gravity coming into contact with the proposed protection system and passing through it,

FIG. 9 is a front view of the membrane and rotary elements,

FIG. 10 is an example of a mounting device for a protective membrane,

FIG. 11a-11b is the mounting device of FIG. 10 in an open position,

FIG. 12 is an example of a lateral support for a membrane.

The implementation of the invention

In FIG. 1 shows a rescue boat 1, a davit 2 and a bulwark 20, produced by gravity, equipped with the proposed protection system 3. The protection system comprises a frame 4 to which a protective membrane 5 is attached with the possibility of removal or displacement. This is explained in more detail below. Between the protective membrane 5 and the rescue boat, a device 7 is provided for cutting through the membrane. The device 7 for cutting the membrane contains rotary elements 8 and cutters 9.

In the event of an emergency when the rescue boat must pass through the membrane to exit the platform or a similar object, the rescue boat pushes the rotary elements 8 to the membrane, and the cutters 9 cut holes in the membrane that allow the rescue boat to pass through the protection system without hindrance. In FIG. 2 shows the pivoting elements 8, turned towards the membrane 5, and the cutters 9 in the position of cutting through the membrane. The pivoting elements 8 can be equipped with additional opening devices 16, which can move the pivoting elements 8 to the membrane before launching the rescue boat into the water.

In FIG. 3 illustrates the operation of the protection system 3 during a wave impact on the protection system installed on bulwark 20 in front of davit 2 with a rescue boat. The membrane 5 is located at a distance from the device 7 for cutting the membrane. Due to the natural flexibility of the membrane, the membrane bends under the shock of the wave, absorbing the shock force of the 6th wave and diverting the mass of water from the hole in the bulwark, providing passage 10 for the rescue boat. The maximum pressure of the destructive wave can reach 400 tons / m ² , therefore it is important that the protection system and the membrane can withstand such shocks. Due to the fact that the protection system prevents waves from reaching the rescue boat and davit, they are not damaged even under extreme weather conditions.

Since the membrane withstands the effects of solid-state shock forces and other difficult weather conditions, the design of the davit for the rescue boat can be lowered to the surface of the sea, maintaining a safe position even at a height lower than the expected height of the waves in the surrounding sea.

In FIG. 4, a rescue boat with a davit and a second embodiment of a protection system 3 are shown on the side of gravity. The protection system includes a frame 4, cables or ropes 14 attached to the membrane, and a locking mechanism (not shown) holding the protective membrane 5, the signal line 6 and the winch 15. In addition, there is a device 7 for cutting the membrane, located at a distance behind the membrane 5, between the protective membrane 5 and the rescue boat 1. The membrane cutting device comprises at least one pivoting element 8 comprising a cutter 9.

In the shown embodiment, the rotary elements 8 are made in the form of valves provided with cutters on the surface facing the membrane. If the rescue boat is freed, it slides to the turning elements, comes into contact with them and makes them turn outward, pushing the cutters through the membrane, while the passage for the boat is freed. The signal line activating the system is connected to a hydraulic pump controlling the pressure hook of the rescue boat.

The membrane 5 is a rectangular cloth, which has high strength and durability under the influence of sea water, and to the corners of which are attached cables 14 mounted on hinges or pulleys 18 in the frame 4 so that the cables can be pulled through the pulleys with a winch 15 while lowering or raising the membrane relative to the passage for the rescue boat in bulwark 20. The winch can be driven, for example, by a servomotor connected to an uninterruptible power supply system. The frame preferably comprises a cable guide 17 that extends along the entire path of movement.

If an emergency occurs when there is no disturbance at sea, the membrane can be lowered before the bulwark below the passage level for the rescue boat, leaving the passage open. Then, upon the release of the rescue boat, it will pass over the membrane between the cables attached to the two sides of the membrane.

However, during stormy weather in continuous wave conditions, the membrane can serve as a protective tool in front of the rescue boat. In such a situation, when passing the rescue boat, the rotary elements are screwed with cutters into the membrane, cut through it and, thus, open the passage for the rescue boat. Figure 5 shows a side view in partial section of a rescue released boat falling through the proposed protection system. A rescue boat passes between two rotary elements and through a slotted membrane.

In FIG. 6-8 show a side view of a falling boat 1 pushing the pivoting elements 8 forward towards the membrane 5. When the pivoting elements 8 come into contact with the membrane 5, the cutters 9 cut a hole in the membrane, providing unhindered passage for the rescue boat, which is important in an emergency . The cutters 9 should be sharp and preferably should be of a quality razor blade in order to ensure effective cutting of the membrane if necessary.

In FIG. 9 is a front view of the membrane and the rotary elements with cutters, which is an example of the location of the rotary elements relative to the membrane. In the embodiment shown, two upper pivoting elements 8 ′ and two lower pivoting elements 8 ″ are used. Rotary elements are located diagonally and extend from the corners of the membrane to the center. The rescue boat first hits the turning elements in the center of the membrane. In this case, the cutters begin to cut a hole in the center of the membrane, gradually moving outward and increasing the hole as the rescue boat passes through the membrane.

Since the membrane and its surrounding structure must withstand strong shocks and difficult weather conditions, the holding device for the membrane 5 must be strong and reliable. In FIG. 10-12 show an example of a holding device for the membrane 5. In FIG. 10 shows the upper and lower mounting clamps 21 in the mounting frame 22 holding the membrane 5.

In FIG. 11a and 11b show a membrane and a holding device, separated from each other. The mounting clips 21 are pivotally mounted in the mounting frame 22 and can be opened to install the membrane and closed to secure the membrane in place. The membrane 5 is equipped with fasteners 23, which are located, for example, in each corner of the membrane. The fastening elements 23 consist of a flat part 24 and a flange 25. The flat parts 24 comprise an opening 26 compatible with the holes in the membrane 5. The holes in the membrane 5 preferably comprise integrated reinforcing elements.

The flat parts 24 of the two fasteners 23 are pressed against each side of the hole in the membrane 5, and then a bolt or coupler 26 or similar means is passed through the fasteners and the membrane and presses the fasteners against the membrane. The flanges 25 are designed so that they fit into the mounting clamps 21, while the flanges 25 are located in the clamps when the latter are in the closed position. The fastening clamps are controlled by known devices, in particular by means of an electric or hydraulic motor.

In FIG. 12 shows a membrane fastener in which the fasteners 23 are held directly in the fastener frame 22. This fastener shown is an example of a reinforced membrane fastener that allows the membrane to withstand high forces from the damaging waves. The mounting frame 22 is preferably connected directly to the bulwark, for example, on the surface 19 of the rescue boat passage 10 (see FIG. 1), thus the membrane is stretched in the rescue boat passage. You can also embed the mounting frame 22 in the frame 4. In this case, the mounting frame is part of the guiding device 17, and the membrane can be clamped in the mounting frame during normal operating conditions and disconnected in case of emergency when the sea is calm enough and the surrounding the environment can safely act on a rescue boat and davit.

A protective device for a bulwark (20) with an opening (10) is described for protecting a rescue boat discharged under the influence of gravity located behind the opening. The device includes a membrane (5) covering the hole (10) and a cutting device (7) suitable for cutting the membrane (5) in case of emergency in order to allow the rescue boat to pass through the hole without obstruction from the side of the membrane. In addition, the use of such a protective device in a marine environment and on a marine structure equipped with at least one protective device is described.

Claims (12)

1. A protective device for a bulwark (20) with an opening (10) containing a frame (4), a membrane (5) attached to the frame in a tensioned state, and a cutting device (7), while the frame (4) and a cutting device ( 7) contain fastening means made with the possibility of lateral attachment to the bulwark structure surrounding the hole (10), and the cutting device is mounted with the possibility of displacement to the frame under the influence of a moving load, in particular, a gravity rescue boat, which is released by gravity, as a result of which cutting the membrane occurs. 2. The device according to claim 1, in which the frame (4) also contains a membrane displacement means configured to raise and lower the membrane relative to the bulwark opening. 3. The device according to claim 1, in which the cutting device (7) contains rotary elements (8) provided with cutters (9), these cutters facing the frame (4) when attached to the bulwark. 4. The device according to claim 1, in which the cutting device (7) also contains a built-in rotary device (16), configured to bias the cutting device to the frame structure (4) or to the membrane (5). 5. The device according to claim 1, wherein the cutting device (7) is attached to the bulwark structure between the frame (4) or the membrane (5) and the rescue boat or davit produced by gravity at a predetermined distance from the frame or membrane. 6. The device according to p. 1, in which the frame contains a rotary device (18), in particular pulleys, while the membrane (5) is connected to the frame using cables (14) passing through these pulleys and brought to the winch (15). 7. The device according to claim 1, in which the cables (14) pass along the guides (17) installed on each side of the membrane (5). 8. The device according to claim 1, in which the rotary elements (8) are made in the form of elongated levers equipped with rotary fastening means (12), which are located at one end of the lever, and cutters (9) located along one side of the lever. 9. The device according to claim 8, in which these levers have a tapering shape, while the fastening means (12) are located on the wide end of the lever. 10. The device according to claim 1, in which the membrane is connected to the frame using clamping holders (21), which are located in the mounting frame (22) and hold the fasteners (23) located in predetermined areas along the edges of the membrane. 11. Marine design containing at least one protective device according to any one of paragraphs. 1-10. 12. The use of a protective device according to any one of paragraphs. 1-10 as a protective device for a gravity rescue boat and davit located in a marine environment.

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