WO2013180576A1

WO2013180576A1 - System for a free fall lifeboat

Info

Publication number: WO2013180576A1
Application number: PCT/NO2013/050098
Authority: WO
Inventors: Olav Wierli
Original assignee: Ikm Dsc Engineering As
Priority date: 2012-05-31
Filing date: 2013-05-31
Publication date: 2013-12-05

Abstract

The present invention regards a system for a substantially smoke tight transition from a muster area to a lifeboat 100.

Description

SYSTEM FOR A FREE FALL LIFEBOAT

Technical Field

The present invention regards a system for a free fall life boat and more particularly a system for a substantially smoke tight transition from a muster area to a lifeboat. Background of the invention

Some ships and platforms have free fall lifeboats stored on a downward sloping slipway, dropping into the water as the holdback is released . Advantages of free fall lifeboats are that they give maximum distance from installation, the positive forward motion after water entry ensure a quick getaway from the installation. These lifeboats are also robust against heavy wind and waves from any direction.

These types of lifeboats are usually much heavier than ordinary lifeboats since they are designed for withstanding the impact of the water from a fall of over 50 meters and have the capacity of up to 70 people. Free fall lifeboats are used for their capability to launch nearly instantly and with high reliability. Indeed, free fall lifeboats are required on ships or platform that has the danger of sinking too fast for ordinary lifeboats. Bulk carriers are examples of such ships.

EP0178386A1 describes a launching apparatus for a free fall life boat, comprising a horizontally inclined launching path, the launching path is supported above the deck of the ship by means of a support device which is able to adjust the launching path from an inclined stand-by position to a boarding position and vice versa . An actuating member is secured to the ship and engages with the support device or the launching path . The launching path is pivotably supported at its rear end and a pivotable support is fastened to its front end . The support is adapted to be locked on the deck of the ship in the upper stand-by position of the launching path and enabling the adjustment of the launching path into the boarding position lowered with respect to the stand-by position, and that the life-saving boat comprises an access in the stand-by position.

US4522144A is a rescue system for a marine structure such as an offshore drilling rig or production platform includ ing an enclosed type life boat constructed to be supported on board the marine structure by being releasably suspended over free water from a single point or fulcrum . The fulcrum is located relative to the center of gravity of the life boat such that the latter, in its suspended position, adopts a predetermined slanting orientation which it maintains substantially constant throughout its free fall when released from its suspension. The problem with these solutions is that they do not have a smoke tight cover between the boat and the platform or ship. They are hence not protected from smoke if there is a fire onboard the platform or ship.

Summary of the invention It is therefore the object of the present invention, as is stated in the set of claims, to solve the problems and drawbacks as they are stated above.

The base for the present invention is the new rules regarding lifeboat-testing. The new rules state among others that it has to be performed drop studies under operation on a platform and it has to be a smoke tight connection between the muster area and the lifeboats.

The present invention solves this problem by installing a removable visor between the tunnel and the lifeboat. This removable visor can either be mechanical or hydraulic. After the lifeboat has been dropped in a test, the lifeboat has to be mounted up into place again and then the connection in the form of a visor can seal the musterarea from smoke.

A system for remounting a free fall lifeboat after a drop, said system comprises a fixed tunnel connected to an emergency exit on an offshore installation or marine vessel, a connection between the fixed tunnel and a lifeboat in standby condition on a ramp characterized in that the connection is a removable, substantially smoke tight connection between the tunnel and the lifeboat. This removable smoke tight connection makes it easier to reconnect the lifeboat after it has been tested.

A system wherein said removable smoke tight connection is a visor like device. This is preferred since it is easy to operate and maintain while it also gives a good protection against smoke. A system wherein said visor like device is operated either mechanically or hydraulically to be movable in a combined translator and rotating motion. This is preferred since they have low risk of setting of an explosion. On oil rigs explosions are a constant danger.

Brief description of the drawings

Fig. 1 shows the total assembly of the free fall life boat. Fig. 2 shows the aft of the lifeboat where the escape tunnel shall come in.

Fig. 3 shows a first embodiment of the present invention, which is a connection to the lifeboat door frame. Fig. 4 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the present invention, here the lifeboat, is connected to a fixed tunnel via a visor.

Fig. 5 shows the second embodiment from the side. Here the visor connecting the fixed tunnel and the lifeboat is closed. Fig. 6 shows the second embodiment from the side. Here the visor connecting the fixed tunnel to the lifeboat is opened.

Fig. 7 is a perspective view of the second embodiment of the present invention. Here the fixed tunnel and the visor are transparent.

Fig. 8 is a view form the top of the second embodiment of the present invention. Detailed description

The present invention regards two embodiments for a connection between the muster area and the lifeboat 100, also called the tunnel.

Figure 1 shows the total assembly of the free fall life boat 100. The life boat 100 is connected in the aft to a visor 404 like connection. The lifeboat 100 is placed on a slipway 103 in a downward sloping angle. Above the lifeboat 100 there is an upper muster area 102.

Figure 2 shows the aft of the lifeboat 100 where the escape tunnel shall be connected. Closest we can see the smoke proof connection 101 between the lifeboat 100 and the tunnel. In front of this the lifeboat 100 is placed. On the right side of the lower mustering area 200 it is located a set of stair going to the upper mustering area 203.

At the aft of the boat we can see a door 201. This door 201 is for entering the lifeboat 100 form the lower mustering area 200 or to access the maintenance walkway.

Further at the aft of the lifeboat 100 we can see the heating, ventilation and air conditioning unit 202. Figure 3 shows the first embodiment, an escape tunnel 301 connected to the lifeboat 100 door frame 300. This creates a smoke proof connection between the life boat 100 and the ship or the platform.

Figure 4 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the present invention, here the lifeboat 100, is connected to a fixed tunnel 403 via a visor 404. The escape tunnel is divided in two parts. The first part is a movable visor 404. This movable visor 404 connects the lifeboat 100 to a fixed tunnel 403. The reason for this visor 404 is to make it easier to reconnect the lifeboat 100 to the platform or ship after it has been tested. Free fall lifeboats 100 are usually tested once or twice every year. The visor 404 makes it easier to reconnect it after a test while it also works as a smoke proof connection between the lifeboat 100, and the fixed tunnel 403. At the side of the fixed tunnel we can see a door 400. This door 400 makes it possible to enter the musterarea from the outside. Next to the door 400 we can see mechanism 401 that lifts up the visor 404. This mechanism 401 can preferably be either mechanical or hydraulic. The mechanism 401 controls the raising or lowering of the visor 404 via an arm 402. There can preferably be a similar lifting mechanism 401 on both sides of the tunnel 403.

Figure 5-6 shows the second embodiment from the side. Here the visor 404 connecting the fixed tunnel 403 and the lifeboat 100 is either closed or opened . The main concept of the second embodiment for an escape tunnel is using a visor 404 like device covering the outside of the lifeboat 100 cape 101. The visor 404 is preferably guided and lifted by two hydraulic cylinders, one on each side of the tunnel. The system is manually controlled by a hydraulic valve, connected to the present hydraulic system for davit winches operation. It has a notch on each side where the hydraulics is attached to avoid the up going stairs in the muster area. In both open and closed position the visor 404 is going to have a manual operated locking mechanism. This is to prevent damages to the equipment and personnel.

Figure 7 shows the essential point for this escape tunnel will be the seal that prevents the smoke to penetrate into the tunnel. It will at this point take 3 individual seals to prevent the smoke from penetrating into the lifeboat 100 tunnel. The first seal is between the lifeboat 100 and the visor 404. The second seal is between the visor 404 and the tunnel. The third seal is between the floor of the tunnel and the aft of the lifeboat 100.

Figure 8 is a view form the top of the second embodiment of the present invention. It shows underneath the visor 404 where it is placed a hatch 800 as a floor. This hatch 800 will be the third part of this tunnel system and follows the lifeboat 100 shape. In the other end it ends in an extended muster area deck.

The material for this escape tunnel can preferably be stainless steel.

Initially the lifeboat 100 system shall be maintenance-free. This assumes that the system is tested minimum 1-2 times a year to check that for example the seal is in place and the hydraulics work as it should.

Claims

1. A system for remounting a free fall lifeboat (100) after a drop, said system

comprises a fixed tunnel (403) connected to an emergency exit on an offshore installation or marine vessel, a connection between the fixed tunnel (403) and a lifeboat (100) in standby condition on a ramp c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n that the connection is a removable, substantially smoke tight connection between the tunnel (403) and the lifeboat (100).

2. A system as described in claim 1, wherein said removable smoke tight connection is a visor (404) like device.

3. A system as described in claim 1, wherein said visor (404) like device is operated either mechanically or hydraulically to be movable in a combined translator and rotating motion.