US20210179229A1 - Super e-column on semi-submersible vessel - Google Patents

Super e-column on semi-submersible vessel Download PDF

Info

Publication number
US20210179229A1
US20210179229A1 US16/081,757 US201616081757A US2021179229A1 US 20210179229 A1 US20210179229 A1 US 20210179229A1 US 201616081757 A US201616081757 A US 201616081757A US 2021179229 A1 US2021179229 A1 US 2021179229A1
Authority
US
United States
Prior art keywords
semi
columns
submersible vessel
column
deck
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Abandoned
Application number
US16/081,757
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Aziz Amirali Merchant
Anis Altaf Hussain
Ankit Kumar Choudhary
Wenping Wang
Zhuo Chen
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Seatrium Offshore and Marine Technology Centre Pte Ltd
Original Assignee
Keppel Offshore and Marine Technology Centre Pte Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Keppel Offshore and Marine Technology Centre Pte Ltd filed Critical Keppel Offshore and Marine Technology Centre Pte Ltd
Assigned to KEPPEL OFFSHORE & MARINE TECHNOLOGY CENTRE PTE LTD reassignment KEPPEL OFFSHORE & MARINE TECHNOLOGY CENTRE PTE LTD ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: CHEN, ZHUO, Choudhary, Ankit Kumar, HUSSAIN, Anis Altaf, MERCHANT, Aziz Amirali, WANG, WENPING
Publication of US20210179229A1 publication Critical patent/US20210179229A1/en
Abandoned legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B63—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; RELATED EQUIPMENT
    • B63B—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; EQUIPMENT FOR SHIPPING 
    • B63B1/00—Hydrodynamic or hydrostatic features of hulls or of hydrofoils
    • B63B1/02—Hydrodynamic or hydrostatic features of hulls or of hydrofoils deriving lift mainly from water displacement
    • B63B1/10—Hydrodynamic or hydrostatic features of hulls or of hydrofoils deriving lift mainly from water displacement with multiple hulls
    • B63B1/107—Semi-submersibles; Small waterline area multiple hull vessels and the like, e.g. SWATH
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B63—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; RELATED EQUIPMENT
    • B63B—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; EQUIPMENT FOR SHIPPING 
    • B63B1/00—Hydrodynamic or hydrostatic features of hulls or of hydrofoils
    • B63B1/02—Hydrodynamic or hydrostatic features of hulls or of hydrofoils deriving lift mainly from water displacement
    • B63B1/10—Hydrodynamic or hydrostatic features of hulls or of hydrofoils deriving lift mainly from water displacement with multiple hulls
    • B63B1/12—Hydrodynamic or hydrostatic features of hulls or of hydrofoils deriving lift mainly from water displacement with multiple hulls the hulls being interconnected rigidly
    • B63B1/121—Hydrodynamic or hydrostatic features of hulls or of hydrofoils deriving lift mainly from water displacement with multiple hulls the hulls being interconnected rigidly comprising two hulls
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B63—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; RELATED EQUIPMENT
    • B63B—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; EQUIPMENT FOR SHIPPING 
    • B63B3/00—Hulls characterised by their structure or component parts
    • B63B3/14—Hull parts
    • B63B3/16—Shells
    • B63B3/20—Shells of double type
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B63—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; RELATED EQUIPMENT
    • B63B—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; EQUIPMENT FOR SHIPPING 
    • B63B3/00—Hulls characterised by their structure or component parts
    • B63B3/14—Hull parts
    • B63B3/48—Decks
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B63—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; RELATED EQUIPMENT
    • B63B—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; EQUIPMENT FOR SHIPPING 
    • B63B35/00—Vessels or similar floating structures specially adapted for specific purposes and not otherwise provided for
    • B63B35/34—Pontoons
    • B63B35/38—Rigidly-interconnected pontoons
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B63—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; RELATED EQUIPMENT
    • B63B—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; EQUIPMENT FOR SHIPPING 
    • B63B35/00—Vessels or similar floating structures specially adapted for specific purposes and not otherwise provided for
    • B63B35/44—Floating buildings, stores, drilling platforms, or workshops, e.g. carrying water-oil separating devices
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B63—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; RELATED EQUIPMENT
    • B63B—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; EQUIPMENT FOR SHIPPING 
    • B63B1/00—Hydrodynamic or hydrostatic features of hulls or of hydrofoils
    • B63B1/02—Hydrodynamic or hydrostatic features of hulls or of hydrofoils deriving lift mainly from water displacement
    • B63B1/10—Hydrodynamic or hydrostatic features of hulls or of hydrofoils deriving lift mainly from water displacement with multiple hulls
    • B63B1/12—Hydrodynamic or hydrostatic features of hulls or of hydrofoils deriving lift mainly from water displacement with multiple hulls the hulls being interconnected rigidly
    • B63B1/121—Hydrodynamic or hydrostatic features of hulls or of hydrofoils deriving lift mainly from water displacement with multiple hulls the hulls being interconnected rigidly comprising two hulls
    • B63B2001/123—Hydrodynamic or hydrostatic features of hulls or of hydrofoils deriving lift mainly from water displacement with multiple hulls the hulls being interconnected rigidly comprising two hulls interconnected by a plurality of beams, or the like members only
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B63—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; RELATED EQUIPMENT
    • B63B—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; EQUIPMENT FOR SHIPPING 
    • B63B35/00—Vessels or similar floating structures specially adapted for specific purposes and not otherwise provided for
    • B63B35/44—Floating buildings, stores, drilling platforms, or workshops, e.g. carrying water-oil separating devices
    • B63B2035/442—Spar-type semi-submersible structures, i.e. shaped as single slender, e.g. substantially cylindrical or trussed vertical bodies

Definitions

  • This invention relates to a semi-submersible vessel. Particularly, this invention relates to a semi-submersible vessel having a particular support structure between the deck and the pontoons of the semi-submersible vessel.
  • FIG. 1 illustrates a typical semi-submersible vessel 100 comprises a deck 110 for working space, which is supported by four or more columns 120 which are again supported by two or more pontoons 130 .
  • the pontoons 130 are submerged inside the water, providing majority of buoyance.
  • Braces 140 are provided connecting a pair of columns 120 forming a loop between the deck 110 , columns 120 and pontoon 130 .
  • traditional two pontoon semi structural format as shown in FIG. 1 are either using many braces to form truss structure to resist wave load on pontoons and columns, or using big column with haunch to fix with deck box to resist wave load. While using many braces to form truss structure can achieve thin deck box, such brace connections are heavily stressed to become critical fatigue points. Further, using big column requires a big deck box and haunch to resist the wave load acting on pontoon and column. Hence, there are limitations to such traditional two pontoon semi structural format. Thus, those skilled in the art are striving to provide an improved structural format of supporting the deck and to improve vessel hydrodynamic performance and functional space.
  • a first advantage of a semi-submersible vessel in accordance with some embodiments of this invention is that the semi-submersible vessel includes double skin columns that improves current drag load during operation. This also improves dynamic positioning capability.
  • a second advantage of a semi-submersible vessel in accordance with some embodiments of this invention is that the double skin columns require lesser materials to manufacture. This further leads to lower cost of manufacturing. Still further, weight of the columns is reduced.
  • a third advantage of a semi-submersible vessel in accordance with this invention is that the inner space is functional and creates storage space.
  • a semi-submersible vessel is configured in the following manner.
  • the semi-submersible vessel includes a deck, at least four columns supporting the deck, a first pontoon, a second pontoon, a first brace, and a second brace.
  • Each column comprises an outer skin, an inner skin, and a number of reinforcing plates connecting the inner skin to the outer skin forming a double skin arrangement.
  • the first pontoon is connectable to a first pair of columns and the second pontoon is connectable to a second pair of the columns.
  • the first brace is connectable to the first of each of the two pairs of columns and the second brace connects the second of each of the two pairs of columns.
  • a perimeter of the outer skin at an upper part of the column is larger than a perimeter of the outer skin at a lower part of the column. Further, the perimeter of the outer skin at the lower part of the column conforms to a super ellipse function with the following expressions,
  • a perimeter of the inner skin is the same throughout an upper part and a lower part of the column.
  • the perimeter of the inner skin is octagonal in shape.
  • each of the columns further comprises a solid block at a bottom of the lower part of the column.
  • the solid block has an indent at a top surface of the solid block for supporting respective first and second braces. Further, the indent conforms to the surface of the first and second braces.
  • the reinforcing plates are evenly spaced apart from each other.
  • FIG. 1 illustrating a perspective view of a known semi-submersible vessel
  • FIG. 2 illustrating a perspective view of a semi-submersible vessel in accordance with an embodiment of this invention
  • FIG. 3 illustrating a side view from a column of the semi-submersible vessel in accordance with an embodiment of this invention
  • FIG. 4 illustrating a drag load analysis of the known semi-submersible vessel and the semi-submersible vessel in accordance with an embodiment of this invention
  • FIG. 5 illustrating another drag load analysis of the known semi-submersible vessel and the semi-submersible vessel in accordance with an embodiment of this invention
  • FIG. 6 illustrating a cross sectional view of the lower and upper parts of the column in accordance with an embodiment of this invention
  • FIG. 7 illustrating a perspective view of a portion of the column in accordance with an embodiment of this invention
  • FIG. 8 illustrating a plan view of an arrangement between the columns and the deck of the known semi-submersible vessel
  • FIG. 9 illustrating a side view of an arrangement between the columns and the deck with haunch structures of the known semi-submersible vessel.
  • Various embodiments of this invention relate to a semi-submersible vessel. Particularly, some embodiments of this invention relate to a semi-submersible vessel having a particular support structure between the deck and the pontoons of the semi-submersible vessel.
  • FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of a semi-submersible vessel 200 .
  • the semi-submersible vessel 200 Similar to a known semi-submersible vessel 100 , the semi-submersible vessel 200 also comprises a deck 210 , columns 220 , pontoons 230 and braces 240 .
  • Water level 260 illustrates the water level in which the semi-submersible vessel 200 is in transit, i.e. moving to a new location.
  • Water level 270 illustrates the water level in which the semi-submersible is in operation, i.e. anchored at a location.
  • the pontoons 230 are partially submerged under the water with the braces 240 above the water level 260 during transit. This ensures that the braces 240 are not subjected to drag forces during transit. This is also advantageous for visual inspection.
  • the deck 210 provides a top surface where offshore activities can be carried out.
  • the deck 210 is supported by the columns 220 .
  • columns 220 are connected to the bottom surface of the deck 210 .
  • FIG. 2 shows deck 210 being quadrilateral, one skilled in the art will recognise that other shapes can be implemented without departing form the invention.
  • FIG. 8 illustrates a plan view of a common arrangement of the columns and the deck where a portion of each of the columns extends outside the area of the deck 210 . In such arrangement, full support of the deck 210 will not be rendered by the columns 220 since only a portion of each of the columns is supporting the deck 210 .
  • haunch structures 910 are required to adjoin the columns to the bottom surface of the deck which is shown in FIG.
  • FIG. 9 being the side view of the arrangement of the columns and the deck.
  • the four columns 220 of the semi-submersible vessel 200 are provided within the area of the deck 210 and proximate or at corners of the deck 210 . This ensures that the deck 210 is fully supported by the columns 220 . Hence, additional haunch structures are not required.
  • FIG. 2 illustrates that the columns 220 are arranged at corners of the deck 210 , one skilled in the art will recognise that the columns 220 need not be exactly at the corners of the deck 210 without departing from the invention.
  • the pontoons 230 houses a number of ballast tanks to control the buoyancy of the pontoons 230 .
  • the semi-submersible vessel 200 can be maintained at a certain level with respect to the water level.
  • the pontoons 230 are maintained at a certain level of buoyancy by controlling the ballast tank such that the deck 210 is above the water.
  • the buoyancy of the pontoons 230 are kept about the water level 270 when the semi-submersible vessel 200 is in operation and water level 260 when the semi-submersible vessel 200 is in transit.
  • the water level 260 and water level 270 are meant for illustrative purposes. In other words, the water level 260 and water level 270 are meant to be rough guide of the water levels when in operation and transit.
  • FIG. 3 illustrates a side view 301 of one of the columns 220 , a first cross sectional view 302 between X-X of the side view 301 , and a second cross sectional view 303 between Y-Y.
  • Each of the columns 220 comprises an inner skin 320 , an outer skin 310 and a number of reinforcing plates 330 between the inner and outer skins.
  • the columns 220 further comprise an upper part 221 and a lower part 222 .
  • the upper part 221 and lower part 222 may be integrally manufactured to obtain a better structural stability. Alternatively, the upper part 221 and lower part 222 may be manufactured separately and joined together by welding.
  • the reinforcing plates 330 are provided between the inner skin 320 and outer skin 310 to bind the inner skin 320 to the outer skin 310 . Further, the reinforcing plates 330 are arranged vertically, extending between the top and bottom of the columns 220 .
  • This double skin arrangement of reinforcing plates 330 between the inner skin 320 and outer skin 310 creates voids within the inner skin 320 and outer skin 310 and hence reduces the amount of materials required. Inevitably, the mass of the columns are greatly reduced and costs of material to manufacture the columns are lowered as well. Further, the void created increases the buoyancy of the semi-submersible vessel 200 . Still further, the void can also be used for storage, creating functional spaces within the inner skin.
  • reinforcing plate 330 may be replaced with reinforcing bars without departing from the invention. Further, additional reinforcing plates or reinforcing bars may be provided to interlock the vertically arranged reinforcing plates 330 to strengthen the columns 220 .
  • the shape of the outer skin 310 is based on super ellipse function which can be described parametrically by the following expressions,
  • FIGS. 4 and 5 An analysis on the current drag load of a conventional semi-submersible vessel and a semi-submersible vessel 200 in accordance with this invention is shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 .
  • FIG. 4 illustrates current moving towards the front of the semi-submersible vessel.
  • the left of FIG. 4 shows the current drag load of a conventional semi-submersible vessel while the right of FIG. 4 shows the current drag load of the semi-submersible vessel 200 .
  • the semi-submersible vessel 200 has a current drag load reduction of about 18% compared to the conventional semi-submersible vessel.
  • FIG. 5 illustrates current moving towards the side of the semi-submersible vessel.
  • the left of FIG. 5 shows the current drag load of a conventional semi-submersible vessel while the right of FIG.
  • FIG 5 shows the current drag load of the semi-submersible vessel 200 .
  • the semi-submersible vessel 200 has a current drag load reduction of about 5% compared to the conventional semi-submersible vessel.
  • This reduction in current drag load can be attributed to the shape of the outer skin 310 at the lower part 222 of the columns 220 which provide a better hydrodynamic performance than the conventional semi-submersible vessel.
  • Cross sectional view 302 illustrates the cross sectional view of the lower part 222 along X-X of the column 220 while cross sectional view 303 illustrates the cross sectional view of the upper part 221 along Y-Y of the column 220 .
  • the perimeter of the inner skin 320 in the upper and lower parts of the column is the same while the perimeter of the outer skin 310 at the upper part 221 of the column is larger than the perimeter of the outer skin 310 at the lower part 222 of the column.
  • the perimeter of the outer skin 310 at top of the upper part 221 of the column is quadrilateral with rounded vertices. A larger perimeter at the upper part 221 of the outer skin 310 allows for better connection with the deck 210 .
  • FIG. 3 shows that the shape of both inner skin 320 and outer skin 310 at the lower part 222 is in accordance with the super ellipse function mentioned above, one skilled in the art will recognise that other shapes may be implemented without departing from the invention as long as the outer skin 310 in the lower part 222 of the columns 220 conforms to the super ellipse function mentioned above.
  • FIG. 6 illustrates another configuration of the columns 220 where reference number 601 shows the cross sectional view of the lower part 222 of the column 220 and reference number 602 shows the cross sectional view of the upper part 221 of the column 220 .
  • the cross section of the inner skin 320 is an octagon.
  • the void within the inner skin can be used as storage space.
  • the shape of the inner skin is a design choice left to the skilled in the art.
  • FIG. 7 illustrates a perspective view of a portion of the column 220 with one end of the brace 240 connected to proximate bottom of the lower part of the column 220 .
  • a block structure 710 is provided at the bottom of the lower part 222 of the column 220 .
  • An indent 720 extends a length of the top of the solid block 710 and is shaped according to the surface of the braces 240 so that the brace 240 rests on the indent 720 . This provides better structural support to withstand deformation induced force acting on the braces 240 .

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Ocean & Marine Engineering (AREA)
  • Fluid Mechanics (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Civil Engineering (AREA)
  • Structural Engineering (AREA)
  • Architecture (AREA)
  • Bridges Or Land Bridges (AREA)
  • Filling Or Discharging Of Gas Storage Vessels (AREA)
  • Structures Of Non-Positive Displacement Pumps (AREA)
  • Foundations (AREA)
US16/081,757 2016-03-03 2016-03-03 Super e-column on semi-submersible vessel Abandoned US20210179229A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
PCT/SG2016/050099 WO2017151053A1 (en) 2016-03-03 2016-03-03 Super e-column on semi-submersible vessel

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US20210179229A1 true US20210179229A1 (en) 2021-06-17

Family

ID=55588515

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US16/081,757 Abandoned US20210179229A1 (en) 2016-03-03 2016-03-03 Super e-column on semi-submersible vessel

Country Status (6)

Country Link
US (1) US20210179229A1 (zh)
KR (1) KR20180133397A (zh)
CN (1) CN109070971A (zh)
BR (1) BR112018017219A2 (zh)
SG (1) SG11201807039YA (zh)
WO (1) WO2017151053A1 (zh)

Family Cites Families (11)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2375286A (en) * 1943-07-01 1945-05-08 Floating Stations Ltd Floating structure for salvaging sunken vessels and other uses
US3987640A (en) * 1974-12-30 1976-10-26 Santa Fe International Corporation Column stabilized semisubmersible pipelaying barge
US4281615A (en) * 1977-10-31 1981-08-04 Sedco, Inc. Self-propelled semi-submersible service vessel
NO160069C (no) * 1982-04-20 1989-03-08 Ishikawajima Harima Heavy Ind Havkonstruksjon.
FR2607773B1 (fr) * 1986-12-03 1989-03-31 Sedco Forex Sa Services Techni Plate-forme semisubmersible de type catamaran pour le forage en mer
US6378450B1 (en) * 1998-05-01 2002-04-30 Friede & Goldman, Ltd. Dynamically positioned semi-submersible drilling vessel with slender horizontal braces
CN103085947B (zh) * 2012-10-15 2017-06-27 大连理工大学 沙漏型海洋工程浮式结构物
CN203544335U (zh) * 2013-04-25 2014-04-16 大连船舶重工集团有限公司 半潜式生活居住平台
CN103407554B (zh) * 2013-08-20 2015-12-23 中国海洋石油总公司 半潜式铺管起重船的船型
CN103466050A (zh) * 2013-09-12 2013-12-25 中国船舶重工集团公司第七○二研究所 三浮体式半潜型平台
CN204979167U (zh) * 2015-09-10 2016-01-20 中集海洋工程研究院有限公司 半潜式生活平台

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
KR20180133397A (ko) 2018-12-14
WO2017151053A1 (en) 2017-09-08
SG11201807039YA (en) 2018-09-27
CN109070971A (zh) 2018-12-21
BR112018017219A2 (pt) 2019-01-15

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US11052971B2 (en) Floating offshore platform
US4337601A (en) High-strength light-weight boom section for telescopic crane boom
US3690742A (en) Crane boom
US11261575B2 (en) Segmented suction bucket
KR101364922B1 (ko) 약축보강형 비좌굴 가새
KR102027813B1 (ko) 탑u형 래티스 합성보
JPH0364650B2 (zh)
US5102266A (en) Offshore support structure
US2355947A (en) Storage tank or container and like shell structure
KR20140000871U (ko) 배수구조가 형성된 헬리콥터 데크
US20210179229A1 (en) Super e-column on semi-submersible vessel
KR102223480B1 (ko) 둥근 철주를 갖는 부유 근해 구조물
JPH02242777A (ja) 耐圧力タンク
CN204738229U (zh) 一种双支承板斜拉桥钢索塔钢锚箱锚固结构
NO175827B (no) Anordning ved trykkbeholdere
KR101883116B1 (ko) 복합 구조의 강재 교량
US6397770B1 (en) Ship for offshore operations with vertical openings
JP7420985B1 (ja) ジャケット構造体、ジャケット構造体の設計方法、ジャケット構造体システム、及び洋上風車システム
AU747520B2 (en) Ship for offshore operations with vertical openings
CN217710786U (zh) 带钢护筒的哑铃型钢套箱围堰
KR102222020B1 (ko) 절곡 거더의 솟음 연결 구조 및 이를 이용한 교량 시공 방법
CN215330196U (zh) 一种预制泵站的桶顶结构
JP7083105B2 (ja) 柱脚接合構造
KR102222018B1 (ko) 절곡 거더의 솟음 연결 구조 및 이를 이용한 교량 시공 방법
US9902472B2 (en) Semi-submersible platform

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
AS Assignment

Owner name: KEPPEL OFFSHORE & MARINE TECHNOLOGY CENTRE PTE LTD, SINGAPORE

Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:MERCHANT, AZIZ AMIRALI;HUSSAIN, ANIS ALTAF;CHOUDHARY, ANKIT KUMAR;AND OTHERS;REEL/FRAME:047746/0706

Effective date: 20181019

STPP Information on status: patent application and granting procedure in general

Free format text: NOTICE OF ALLOWANCE MAILED -- APPLICATION RECEIVED IN OFFICE OF PUBLICATIONS

STCB Information on status: application discontinuation

Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO PAY ISSUE FEE