WO1997027102A1 - Method and apparatus for removing a propeller assembly from and for mounting the same in an opening in the bottom of a swimming vessel - Google Patents

Method and apparatus for removing a propeller assembly from and for mounting the same in an opening in the bottom of a swimming vessel Download PDF

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Publication number
WO1997027102A1
WO1997027102A1 PCT/FI1997/000028 FI9700028W WO9727102A1 WO 1997027102 A1 WO1997027102 A1 WO 1997027102A1 FI 9700028 W FI9700028 W FI 9700028W WO 9727102 A1 WO9727102 A1 WO 9727102A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
propeller assembly
vessel
propeller
opening
hoisting chamber
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/FI1997/000028
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Jarmo Savikurki
Chris Gale
Original Assignee
Aquamaster-Rauma 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 Aquamaster-Rauma Ltd. filed Critical Aquamaster-Rauma Ltd.
Priority to CA002244118A priority Critical patent/CA2244118C/en
Priority to GB9813634A priority patent/GB2322111B/en
Priority to US09/117,135 priority patent/US6067697A/en
Publication of WO1997027102A1 publication Critical patent/WO1997027102A1/en
Priority to NO19983336A priority patent/NO313586B1/en

Links

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B63—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; RELATED EQUIPMENT
    • B63B—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; EQUIPMENT FOR SHIPPING 
    • B63B17/00—Vessels parts, details, or accessories, not otherwise provided for
    • B63B17/0018—Arrangements or devices specially adapted for facilitating access to underwater elements, e.g. to propellers ; Externally attached cofferdams or the like
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B63—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; RELATED EQUIPMENT
    • B63B—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; EQUIPMENT FOR SHIPPING 
    • B63B85/00—Dismantling or scrapping vessels
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B63—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; RELATED EQUIPMENT
    • B63H—MARINE PROPULSION OR STEERING
    • B63H21/00—Use of propulsion power plant or units on vessels
    • B63H21/30—Mounting of propulsion plant or unit, e.g. for anti-vibration purposes
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B63—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; RELATED EQUIPMENT
    • B63H—MARINE PROPULSION OR STEERING
    • B63H5/00—Arrangements on vessels of propulsion elements directly acting on water
    • B63H5/07—Arrangements on vessels of propulsion elements directly acting on water of propellers
    • B63H5/125—Arrangements on vessels of propulsion elements directly acting on water of propellers movably mounted with respect to hull, e.g. adjustable in direction, e.g. podded azimuthing thrusters

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a method as set forth in the preamble of claim 1 for removing a propeller assembly from and for mounting the same in an opening in the bottom of a swimming vessel as well as to an apparatus as set forth in the preamble of claim 4.
  • An object of the present invention is to provide an improved and relatively simple and reliable method and apparatus for removing and mounting a propeller assembly for maintenance, repairs or replacement without having to bring the vessel to dock. This is particularly important in connection with various rig platforms used by off-shore industry, said rigs being often designed to remain stationary for long periods of time, e.g. up to 20 years.
  • the propeller assemblies have been installed and removed from outside the vessel by means of various hoisting mechanisms. In a normal case, these necessitate the use of a diver for securing the hoisting cables to the propeller assembly.
  • a drawback in such externally performed removal and installation of a propeller assembly is that such operations are highly dependent on weather conditions. In poor weather, a diver cannot be used for such operations for reasons of safety.
  • F gs. 1-3 illustrate an apparatus for removing a propeller assembly 1 from and for mounting the same m an opening 9 in a vessel bottom 8.
  • the illustrated propeller assembly 1 comprises an underwater section 2, including the actual propeller, as well as a top section 3 inside the vessel, between which is a flange element 4 for tight sealing of the opening 9.
  • the propeller is coupled through the intermediary of appropriate gear means to a gear shaft 5, which is in turn connected to power means 6, e.g. an electric motor or a diesel engine.
  • power means 6 e.g. an electric motor or a diesel engine.
  • the gear shaft 5 is removable.
  • the opening 9 is associated with a hoisting chamber 7, extending upwards inside the vessel to above waterlme and having its bottom portion provided with a passage 13 for the gear shaft 5.
  • the hoisting chamber 7 is designed to be watertight.
  • guide elements not shown, for holding the propeller assembly 1 in a correct position during lifting and lowering.
  • the gear shaft 5 is disengaged from between the top section 3 of the propeller assembly 1 and the power unit 6, at the same time removing pertinent electrical wires and hydraulic tubes and other possible pipes.
  • the passage 13 is sealed with a watertight flange 11 (fig. 2) and the top section 3 of the propeller assembly 1 is covered with a watertight protective casing 10.
  • the next step is to unfasten the clamping elements which secure the propeller assembly to the hull of a vessel and to fasten hoisting cables 12 to the propeller assembly 1 and to let the water in the hoisting chamber 7.
  • the propeller assembly 1 is lifted by way of the top of the hoisting chamber 7 and carried away for necessary procedures. Installation of the propeller assembly 1 into the opening 9 proceeds in a reversed order. The removal of water remaining in the hoisting chamber 7 during the course of installation can be effected by means of conventional pump equipment.
  • the apparatus can be subjected to a number of modifications without departing from the scope of protection defined in the claims for the invention.
  • the top section 3 of the propeller assembly 1 could be originally designed to be totally resistant to pressure water, whereby the use of a separate protective casing 10 is not necessary.

Abstract

The invention relates to a method and apparatus for installing a propeller assembly (1) in an opening (9) in the bottom (8) of a swimming vessel and for removing the propeller assembly (1) from the opening (9). The propeller assembly (1) comprises an underwater section (2) including the actual propeller and a top section (3) inside the vessel, between which is fitted a flange element (4) for tightly sealing the opening (9). The apparatus comprises a hoisting chamber (7), which is fitted in the opening (9) in the bottom of a vessel, extends inside the vessel to above waterline and surrounds the top section (3) of the propeller assembly. The apparatus further includes guide elements for guiding the propeller assembly (1) during the course of lifting or lowering. In the method, the propeller assembly (1) is lifted away by way of the top of the hoisting chamber (7) after clampings of the propeller assembly (1) to the hull of a vessel are unfastened and hoisting means (12) are secured to the propeller assembly (1). Installation proceeds in a reversed order.

Description

Method and apparatus for removing a propeller assembly from and for mounting the same in an opening in the bottom of a swimming vessel
The present invention relates to a method as set forth in the preamble of claim 1 for removing a propeller assembly from and for mounting the same in an opening in the bottom of a swimming vessel as well as to an apparatus as set forth in the preamble of claim 4.
An object of the present invention is to provide an improved and relatively simple and reliable method and apparatus for removing and mounting a propeller assembly for maintenance, repairs or replacement without having to bring the vessel to dock. This is particularly important in connection with various rig platforms used by off-shore industry, said rigs being often designed to remain stationary for long periods of time, e.g. up to 20 years. In the prior art, the propeller assemblies have been installed and removed from outside the vessel by means of various hoisting mechanisms. In a normal case, these necessitate the use of a diver for securing the hoisting cables to the propeller assembly. A drawback in such externally performed removal and installation of a propeller assembly is that such operations are highly dependent on weather conditions. In poor weather, a diver cannot be used for such operations for reasons of safety.
In order to achieve the above-described object of invention, a method of the invention is characterized by what is set forth in the characterizing clause of claim 1. On the other hand, an apparatus of the invention is characterized by what is set forth in the characterizing clause of claim 4.
The invention will now be described with reference made to the accompanying drawings, in which figs. 1-3 depict one apparatus of the invention at various stages of removing a propeller assembly.
F gs. 1-3 illustrate an apparatus for removing a propeller assembly 1 from and for mounting the same m an opening 9 in a vessel bottom 8. The illustrated propeller assembly 1 comprises an underwater section 2, including the actual propeller, as well as a top section 3 inside the vessel, between which is a flange element 4 for tight sealing of the opening 9. The propeller is coupled through the intermediary of appropriate gear means to a gear shaft 5, which is in turn connected to power means 6, e.g. an electric motor or a diesel engine. In the depicted embodiment, the gear shaft 5 is removable. The opening 9 is associated with a hoisting chamber 7, extending upwards inside the vessel to above waterlme and having its bottom portion provided with a passage 13 for the gear shaft 5. The hoisting chamber 7 is designed to be watertight. Furthermore, inside the hoisting chamber 7 are included guide elements, not shown, for holding the propeller assembly 1 in a correct position during lifting and lowering.
The following describes the operations for removing and lifting the propeller assembly 1 from the opening 9. The description is but an example of one preferred implementation and is by no means intended to limit the scope of protection defined in the claims for the invention.
Firstly, the gear shaft 5 is disengaged from between the top section 3 of the propeller assembly 1 and the power unit 6, at the same time removing pertinent electrical wires and hydraulic tubes and other possible pipes. Next, the passage 13 is sealed with a watertight flange 11 (fig. 2) and the top section 3 of the propeller assembly 1 is covered with a watertight protective casing 10. The next step is to unfasten the clamping elements which secure the propeller assembly to the hull of a vessel and to fasten hoisting cables 12 to the propeller assembly 1 and to let the water in the hoisting chamber 7. Finally, the propeller assembly 1 is lifted by way of the top of the hoisting chamber 7 and carried away for necessary procedures. Installation of the propeller assembly 1 into the opening 9 proceeds in a reversed order. The removal of water remaining in the hoisting chamber 7 during the course of installation can be effected by means of conventional pump equipment.
The apparatus can be subjected to a number of modifications without departing from the scope of protection defined in the claims for the invention. For example, the top section 3 of the propeller assembly 1 could be originally designed to be totally resistant to pressure water, whereby the use of a separate protective casing 10 is not necessary.

Claims

Claims
1. A method for removing a propeller assembly (1 ) from and for mounting the same in an opening (9) in the bottom (8) of a swimming vessel, said propeller assembly (1 ) comprising an underwater section (2) including the actual propeller and a top section (3) inside the vessel and coupled to power means driving the propeller assembly, said sections (2, 3) having therebetween a flange element (4) for tightly sealing the opening (9), c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that, in the method, the opening (9) included in the bottom of a vessel is provided with a watertight hoisting chamber (7), extending inside the vessel and to above waterline and surrounding the top section (3) of the propeller assembly, the power means (6) being arranged outside the hoisting chamber (7) and coupled by means of a removable gear shaft (5) to gear elements included in the top section (3) of the propeller assembly (1) for the further transmission of power to the actual propeller, said gear shaft (5) being adapted to extend through a passage (13) included in a wall of the hoisting chamber (7), in which method the propeller assembly (1 ) is first released from its engagement with the power means (6) by removing the gear shaft (5), the passage (13) for the gear shaft (5) is sealed in a watertight fashion, clampings of the propeller assembly (1 ) to the hull of a vessel are unfastened and hoisting means (12) are secured to the propeller assembly (1), followed by lifting away the propeller assembly (1 ) by way of the top of the hoisting chamber (7), and in which method the installation proceeds in a reversed order.
2. A method as set forth in claim 1 , c h a r a c t e r ¬ i z e d in that the method further makes use of a protective casing (10), which is mounted over the top section (3) of the propeller assembly prior to letting the water into the hoisting chamber (7).
3. A method as set forth in claim 1 or 2, c h a r a c ¬ t e r i z e d in that, in the method, the water is let into the hoisting chamber (7) prior to commencing or during the course of a lift.
4. An apparatus for installing a propeller assembly (1) in an opening (9) in the bottom (8) of a swimming vessel and for removing the propeller assembly ( 1 ) from the opening (9), said propeller assembly (1) comprising an underwater section (2) including the actual propeller and a top section (3) inside the vessel and coupled to power means driving the propeller assembly, said sections (2, 3) having therebetween a flange element (4) for tightly sealing the opening (9), c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the apparatus comprises a hoisting chamber (7), which is mounted around an opening (9) in the bottom of a vessel, extends inside the vessel to above waterline and surrounds the top section (3) of the propeller assembly, and means (12) for lifting the propeller assembly (1 ) away by way of the top of the hoisting chamber (7), and that the power means (6) are located outside the hoisting chamber (7) and coupled by means of a removable gear shaft (5) to gear means included in the top section (3) of the propeller assembly (1 ) for transmitting power further to the actual propeller, said gear shaft (5) being adapted to extend through a passage (13) included in a wall of the hoisting chamber (7), said passage (13) being sealable by means of a watertight sealing element (11).
5. An -apparatus as set forth in claim 4, c h a r a c - t e r i z e d in that it further includes a watertight protective casing (10) to be mounted over the top section (3) of the propeller assembly (1 ).
6. An apparatus as set forth in claim 4 or 5, c h a r - a c t e r i z e d in that the hoisting chamber (7) is provided with internal guide elements for guiding the
PCT/FI1997/000028 1996-01-24 1997-01-23 Method and apparatus for removing a propeller assembly from and for mounting the same in an opening in the bottom of a swimming vessel WO1997027102A1 (en)

Priority Applications (4)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
CA002244118A CA2244118C (en) 1996-01-24 1997-01-23 Method and apparatus for removing a propeller assembly from and for mounting the same in an opening in the bottom of a swimming vessel
GB9813634A GB2322111B (en) 1996-01-24 1997-01-23 Method and apparatus for removing a propeller assembly from and for mounting the same in an opening in the bottom of a floating vessel
US09/117,135 US6067697A (en) 1996-01-24 1997-01-23 Method for removing a propeller assembly from and for mounting the same in an opening in the bottom of a swimming vessel
NO19983336A NO313586B1 (en) 1996-01-24 1998-07-17 Method and apparatus for mounting and disassembling a propeller assembly in an opening at the bottom of a vessel in water

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
FI960319 1996-01-24
FI960319A FI103194B (en) 1996-01-24 1996-01-24 Method and apparatus for detaching and mounting a propeller assembly in an opening at the bottom of a floating vessel
NL1005101A NL1005101C2 (en) 1996-01-24 1997-01-27 A method and apparatus for removing a screw assembly from and arranging it in an opening in the bottom of a floating vessel.

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO1997027102A1 true WO1997027102A1 (en) 1997-07-31

Family

ID=26160088

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/FI1997/000028 WO1997027102A1 (en) 1996-01-24 1997-01-23 Method and apparatus for removing a propeller assembly from and for mounting the same in an opening in the bottom of a swimming vessel

Country Status (6)

Country Link
CA (1) CA2244118C (en)
FI (1) FI103194B (en)
GB (1) GB2322111B (en)
NL (1) NL1005101C2 (en)
NO (1) NO313586B1 (en)
WO (1) WO1997027102A1 (en)

Cited By (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2011127987A1 (en) 2010-04-16 2011-10-20 Wärtsilä Finland Oy Mounting method of thruster
WO2014060634A1 (en) 2012-10-16 2014-04-24 Wärtsilä Finland Oy Method of handling a unit in a marine vessel and an assembly in a marine vessel
WO2014060636A1 (en) 2012-10-16 2014-04-24 Wärtsilä Finland Oy An thruster assembly in a marine vessel
WO2014060635A1 (en) 2012-10-16 2014-04-24 Wärtsilä Finland Oy A closing cover for closing a lower part of a hoisting chamber in a hull of a marine vessel and a method of facilitating access to a lower part of a hoisting chamber
DE212012000290U1 (en) 2012-12-14 2015-08-07 Rolls-Royce Oy Ab Means for disassembly or assembly of the underwater part of a retractable thruster

Families Citing this family (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FI110252B (en) * 1997-07-04 2002-12-31 Abb Oy propulsion unit

Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2633817A (en) * 1950-12-07 1953-04-07 Eugene T Pedranti Motor mount
US4036163A (en) * 1975-06-06 1977-07-19 Aktiebolaget Karlstads Mekaniska Werkstad Apparatus for mounting and dismounting a submerged propeller unit for a floating body
SE424064B (en) * 1977-12-27 1982-06-28 Contacta I Stockholm Ab BELT FOR FITTING IN A SHIP COTTAGE
US4573929A (en) * 1983-02-03 1986-03-04 Hollming Ltd. Propeller device for a ship

Family Cites Families (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE2406548A1 (en) * 1974-02-02 1975-08-14 Pleuger Unterwasserpumpen Gmbh PROPULSION DEVICE FOR FLOATING WORK EQUIPMENT
JPS59220488A (en) * 1983-05-30 1984-12-11 Kawasaki Heavy Ind Ltd Propulsion system mount/dismount structure for ocean movable structure
FR2560147A1 (en) * 1984-02-23 1985-08-30 Citroen Messian Durand Engren Ship propulsion assembly, which can be retracted into a well
DE4233662A1 (en) * 1992-10-07 1994-04-14 Schottel Werft Drive unit for water vehicles

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2633817A (en) * 1950-12-07 1953-04-07 Eugene T Pedranti Motor mount
US4036163A (en) * 1975-06-06 1977-07-19 Aktiebolaget Karlstads Mekaniska Werkstad Apparatus for mounting and dismounting a submerged propeller unit for a floating body
SE424064B (en) * 1977-12-27 1982-06-28 Contacta I Stockholm Ab BELT FOR FITTING IN A SHIP COTTAGE
US4573929A (en) * 1983-02-03 1986-03-04 Hollming Ltd. Propeller device for a ship

Cited By (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2011127987A1 (en) 2010-04-16 2011-10-20 Wärtsilä Finland Oy Mounting method of thruster
KR101377894B1 (en) 2010-04-16 2014-03-25 바르실라 핀랜드 오이 Mounting method of thruster
WO2014060634A1 (en) 2012-10-16 2014-04-24 Wärtsilä Finland Oy Method of handling a unit in a marine vessel and an assembly in a marine vessel
WO2014060636A1 (en) 2012-10-16 2014-04-24 Wärtsilä Finland Oy An thruster assembly in a marine vessel
WO2014060635A1 (en) 2012-10-16 2014-04-24 Wärtsilä Finland Oy A closing cover for closing a lower part of a hoisting chamber in a hull of a marine vessel and a method of facilitating access to a lower part of a hoisting chamber
DE212012000290U1 (en) 2012-12-14 2015-08-07 Rolls-Royce Oy Ab Means for disassembly or assembly of the underwater part of a retractable thruster
US9708032B2 (en) 2012-12-14 2017-07-18 Rolls-Royce Oy Ab Method for disassembling and/or assembling an underwater section of a retractable thruster unit

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
NO983336L (en) 1998-07-17
GB2322111A (en) 1998-08-19
NL1005101C2 (en) 1998-07-29
GB9813634D0 (en) 1998-08-26
FI960319A (en) 1997-07-25
CA2244118A1 (en) 1997-07-31
NO313586B1 (en) 2002-10-28
GB2322111B (en) 1999-11-17
CA2244118C (en) 2005-04-19
FI960319A0 (en) 1996-01-24
FI103194B1 (en) 1999-05-14
NO983336D0 (en) 1998-07-17
FI103194B (en) 1999-05-14

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