WO2014137296A1

WO2014137296A1 - Offshore mezzanine deck

Info

Publication number: WO2014137296A1
Application number: PCT/SG2014/000112
Authority: WO
Inventors: Nissum ULRIK
Original assignee: Ulrik Nissum
Priority date: 2013-03-08
Filing date: 2014-03-07
Publication date: 2014-09-12
Also published as: SG2013017595A

Abstract

The present invention relates to a mezzanine deck designed for use on offshore vessels. The mezzanine deck consists of multiple parts which are either bolted together or fastened by pins. The mezzanine deck includes a collapsible platform structure attached to a plurality of foundation structures with clamps allowing any given position of the structure along the line of the platform. The foundation structure is designed to distribute the load of the mezzanine deck platform to an even force on its bottom. The assembly when placed on an offshore vessel is fastened according to the vessel's cargo securing manual and thereby not integrated with the vessel's structure. When disassembled, it is self contained in its foundation structures which meets ISO standard for shipping container for the ease of shipping the mezzanine deck.

Description

OFFSHORE MEZZANINE DECK

TECHNICAL FIELD

[001] The present invention relates to a mezzanine deck. The present invention particularly relates to a portable assembly for assembling a mezzanine deck for an offshore vessel.

BACKGROUND ART

[002] Mezzanine decks are commonly built on offshore vessels to facilitate for example, diving and underwater equipment launching over a ship surface. These structures are built on the existing structure of a ship thereby, forming part of the vessel. In most of the cases, they are built such that they may fit to a particular ship. In some cases, once the job for which they are built is completed, mezzanine decks are removed. The traditional way of building a mezzanine deck is time consuming and costly. The traditional mezzanine decks are difficult to transport as they exceed normal road transport size and in most of the countries, require transport permission and police escort. Furthermore, they need to be shipped as a special cargo if sea freighted.

[003] Thus, the traditional installation of a mezzanine deck carries following major complications: (1) for distributing the weight to the ship's structure, it needs to be tailor-made to fit the design of a particular ship, (2) when installed, it principally forms part of the ship structure and therefore, needs design approval from the ship's classification society in each case, and (3) structures are of large size and they are complicated to install, remove or transport. [004] To address the problems with traditional mezzanine building ways, a well-known prior art discloses a large sized container for shipping of consignment by rail, road, sea or air. The container includes a base, two surface panels, one 5 front panel, one back surface which opens and a roof. The preceding components of the container are separable for selective interconnection into an assembled unit for shipping cargo, and into a collapsed unit, for shipping the container only. However, this art does not disclose a mezzanine deck for offshore use intended to elevate sub-sea equipment from the ship's deck to reach over the0 ship surface.

[005] In another prior art, an adjustable mezzanine floor is disclosed. The deck is fitted on four telescopic pillars to adjust height. It transfers all weight through the pillars to the relative small area of the pillar base. Thus, it is intended for use5 ashore, not offshore.

[006] It would therefore be desirable to provide a mezzanine deck for offshore use that does not conflict with vessel's design, shortens immobilized time for installation and removal, and provides the option of low cost transportation by o sea, road, rail or air as a standardized shipping container.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

[007] It is an object of the present invention to overcome, or at least j substantially ameliorate, the disadvantages and shortcomings of the prior art. [008] It is also an object of the present invention to provide a mezzanine deck suitable for offshore use. [009] It is also an object of the present invention to provide a mezzanine deck that avoids building large structures onboard the ship.

[010] It is further an object of the present invention to provide a mezzanine deck with shorten immobilized time for installation and removal and provides the option of low cost transportation by sea, road, rail or air as a standardized shipping container.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[011] The object of the invention is achieved by a portable assembly for assembling a mezzanine deck for offshore vessel. The assembly includes a plurality of foundation structures and a collapsible platform structure. The plurality of foundation structures are securable to a collapsible platform structure to form a mezzanine deck for offshore vessel. [012] According to one embodiment of the invention, the collapsible platform structure includes a main frame that includes a plurality of corner beams such that each corner beam has a first end and a second end opposite to the first end, a plurality of end beams such that each end beam is secured between the first ends of two consecutive corner beams and a plurality of mid beams such that a mid beam of the plurality of mid beams is secured between either the second ends of two consecutive corner beams or the second end of a corner beam and another mid beam.

[013] According to another embodiment of the invention, the each end beam is 5 secured to the first end by one or more bolts.

[014] According to yet another embodiment of the invention, the mid beam is secured by one or more bolts. 0 [015] According to yet another embodiment of the invention, each of the plurality of corner beams is secured to one of the plurality of foundation structures by one or more clamps.

[016] According to yet another embodiment of the invention, the assembly L5 further includes a plurality of supporting beams placed parallel to the plurality of corner beams such that each supporting beam is sandwiched between one of the plurality of foundation structures and the collapsible platform structure.

[017] According to yet another embodiment of the invention, the collapsible o platform structure further includes a plurality of handrail stanchion bases coupled to the outer surface of the main frame, a plurality of handrail stanchions such that each handrail stanchion is inserted and secured into one of the plurality of handrail stanchion bases and a plurality of handrails such that each handrail is fitted on the plurality of the handrail stanchions. [018] According to yet another embodiment of the invention, the clamp includes a lower flange, a mounting bracket provided on the lower flange, and an upper flange bolted onto the mounting bracket to be secured either to one of the plurality of corner beams or supporting beams.

[019] According to yet another embodiment of the invention, the lower flange of the clamp is bolted to each of the foundation structures in a fixed position for positioning of the beam corners in any given longitudinal direction.

[020] According to yet another embodiment of the invention, the collapsible platform structure further includes a plurality of intermediate beams such that each intermediate beam is inserted in a pair of opposite slots provided on the corner beams or mid beams of the main frame. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[021] For a better understanding of our invention, we would now refer to the following drawing(s) which accompany this specification. The drawings will be further described in detail in the following as non-limiting and exemplary illustration of specific or preferred embodiments of our invention, in which:

[022] FIG 1 illustrates a fully assembled mezzanine deck excluding gratings or deck plates on top for transparent overview in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. [023] FIG 1a depicts an exemplary illustration of the connection between a corner beam and a mid beam.

[024] FIG 2 illustrates the assembled platform of the assembled mezzanine deck of FIG 1 without the foundation structures in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

[025] FIG 2a is an exemplary depiction of an intermediate beam slot assembly. [026] FIG 2b illustrates an exemplary depiction of handrail stanchion base and handrail stanchion assembly.

[027] FIG 2c illustrates an exemplary connection between a handrail and handrail stanchion.

[028] FIG 3 shows detailed drawing of one of the corner beam of the assembled platform of FIG 2 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. [029] FIGS 3a-b depicts an exploded view of a first end flange and second end flange respectively.

[030] FIG 4 shows the frame work of the foundation structure of FIG 1 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. [031] FIGS 4a-b illustrate exemplary mounting clamps.

[032] FIG 5 illustrates a clamp with a lower and upper flange in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[033] The mezzanine deck of the present invention is designed for use on offshore vessels for various activities, for example, launching subsea equipment. The mezzanine deck consists of multiple parts which are assembled together via for example, bolts, pins, etc. Specifically, assembly of parts forms a deck which is placed on top of a plurality of foundation structures to elevate it to a mezzanine deck. As per the teachings of the present invention, it is not required to build large structures onboard the ship, rather it can be considered as cargo when placed onboard where traditional mezzanine structures are considered to be part of the ships structure.

[034] FIG 1 shows the assembly 100 of a mezzanine deck with a plurality of foundation structures. The assembly 100 includes two foundation structures 1(a- b) to which a collapsible platform structure 3 is attached. In the exemplary embodiment, this collapsible platform structure 3 is attached to the foundation structures 1(a-b) by a plurality of clamps 5a as clamps 5a provide full flexibility of distance between the foundation structures 1(a-b). Alternately, the collapsible platform structure 3 may be bolted to the foundation structures 1(a-b). In the depicted embodiment, the collapsible platform structure 3 rests on two foundation structures 1(a-b) to provide evenly distributed load to the ship's deck. Though FIG 1 depicts two foundation structures 1(a-b), it is possible that more than two foundation structures can be attached to a collapsible platform structure 3 depending upon support requirement.

[035] The foundation structures 1(a-b) may be designed in a way that the foundation structures 1(a-b) meet the standards of the International Standard Organization (ISO) for shipping containers which solves the problem of transportation and storage. In addition, the collapsible platform structure 3 may be designed to meet the design criteria for offshore vessels without the need to assess the offshore vessels in advance. Further, the mezzanine deck in accordance with the teachings of the present invention does not require prior agency approvals as it may be considered a cargo on a ship. [036] The collapsible platform structure 3 includes a main frame which is made up of a plurality of sections, for example, four corner beams 7(a-d), two end beams 9(a-b) and two or more mid beams 11(a-b). Each beam (namely, corner beam, mid beam and end beam) has six surfaces - a top surface, a bottom surface, an inner surface, an outer surface and two ends, namely a first end and a second end. Each corner beam is secured between an end beam and a mid beam. For example, the first end of the corner beam 7a is secured to the end beam 9a while the second end of the corner beam 7a is secured to the mid beam 11a. It is to be noted that with reference to a corner beam, the first end corresponds to the end at the corner of the main frame while the second end corresponds to the end opposite to the first end. W

[037] Between two consecutive corner beams, a mid beam is placed. For example, the mid beam 11a is placed between corner beams 7a and 7c. FIG 1a depicts an exemplary illustration of the connection between the corner beam 7a and mid beam 11a. In an exemplary illustration, the mid beam 11a is bolted to the flanges of the corner beam 7a to establish the connection using nuts and bolts 102.

[038] Alternately, depending upon the required width of the collapsible platform structure 3, the number of mid beams 11 can be varied. For example, rather than securing one mid beam between two consecutive corner beams, there may be multiple mid beams secured together to achieve the desired length or width. In such a case, the required number of mid beams may be placed and secured adjacent to each other longitudinally and thereafter, the free ends of this mid beam assembly may be secured between two consecutive corner beams. The connections between two mid beams or a mid beam and a corner beam may be made as described in FIG 1a. The mid beams 11(a-b) may be secured with the help of bolts, clamps, etc. Additionally and optionally, the mid beams 11(a-b) may be provided in different sizes e.g. 1 , 2, 3, 5 meter length as needed. This allows collapsible platform structure 3 to meet the length or width of any given ship. Thus, a rectangular main frame may be formed as depicted. In an alternate embodiment, the main frame need not include separate parts to be secured together, rather it can be available as a stand-alone one piece structure. Though FIG 1 depicts a rectangular main frame, it is possible to construct a main frame of other shapes like hexagonal, octagonal, etc. [039] A bracket is coupled to the bottom surface of each corner beam. The clamps 5a attached to the foundation structures 1(a-b) are mounted on these brackets and hold the corner beams 7(a-d) in place. Further details of corner 5 beams are provided in FIG 3. The comer beams 7(a-d), end beams 9(a-b) and mid beams 11(a-b) form a collapsible platform structure 3 or a frame like structure all flanged and bolted together and attached to the foundation structures 1(a-b) with the help of clamps 5a. 0 [040] To strengthen the main frame, a plurality of supporting beams 13 may be placed orthogonal to a plurality of intermediate beams 15. The supporting beams 13 are parallel to the corner beams 7(a-d). Each supporting beam 13 is sandwiched between a foundation structure (1a or 1b) and the plurality of intermediate beams 15., However, where extra support for the collapsible platform

L5 structure 3 is not required, the mezzanine deck 100 need not include supporting beams 13. In an exemplary embodiment, brackets are fitted on two opposite surfaces of a supporting beam 13 to facilitate connection with a foundation structure (1 a or 1b) on one side and intermediate beams 15 on the other side. The connection of a supporting beam 13 to the foundation structure (1a or 1b) is

'.o made with the help of clamps 5b provided on the foundation structure (shown in FIG 4 and 4b). The clamps 5b are mounted on to the brackets provided on one side of the supporting beam 13. Similarly, the supporting beam 13 is attached to the intermediate beams 15 with the help of another set of clamps. In an embodiment, the two sets of clamps are identical. The supporting beams 13 thus,

5 evenly distribute the load of the collapsible platform structure 3 at the bottom of the framework.

[041] The foundation structures 1(a-b) can have a random internal distance so that it can fit the vessel on which it is being used. The clamps 5a bolt the foundation structures 1(a-b) in a fixed position for positioning of the corner beams 7(a-d) in any given longitudinal direction. In addition, the parts used for forming the collapsible platform structure 3 may be designed to fit inside the foundation structures 1 (a-b). [042] The foundation structure 1(a-b) and collapsible platform structure 3 may be made of a tough material such as iron, steel, alloys, composite materials etc.

[043] Further details on collapsible platform structure 3 are provided with reference to FIG. 2.

[044] FIG 2 illustrates the assembled platform structure 3 of the assembled mezzanine deck without the foundation structures. The platform structure 3 includes a plurality of intermediate beams 15 to be secured to the main frame. The intermediate beams 15 are inserted in the slots provided on the inner surface of the main frame (namely, corner beams 7(a-d) and mid beams 11 (a-b)). An intermediate beam 15 can be inserted such that one end of the beam 15 is inserted in a slot provided on the inner surface of corner beam 7(a) while the other end of beam 15 is inserted in a corresponding opposite slot provided on the inner surface of comer beam 7(b). Once the intermediate beams 15 are inserted in the respective slots, they are secured to the slot with the help of pins or bolts. The intermediate beams 15 provide rigidity and strength to the main frame.

[045] FIG 2a is an exemplary depiction of an intermediate beam slot assembly. The figure illustrates the coupling of an intermediate beam 15 in a slot provided on the mid beam 11a. A slot housing 202 is provided on the inner surface of the mid beam 11a in which the intermediate beam 15 is inserted and secured with a pin or bolt 204. This helps fast assembly of the collapsible platform structure 3 and flexible movement of the structure 3 while assembling. [046] Referring to FIG 2 again, the main frame with the intermediate beams 15 form a collapsible platform structure 3 on which subsea launching equipment can be fitted. Once the launching equipment is installed, the remaining area of the collapsible platform structure 3 may be covered with either grating or deck plating to enable operators to walk on the collapsible platform structure 3. In order to assist a user to walk steadily, the collapsible platform structure 3 may be fitted with one or more handrails 17(a-b) attached to the main frame via a plurality of handrail stanchion base 21. The handrail stanchion bases 21 are provided on the outer surface of the main frame (that is, corner beams 7(a-d), end beams 9(a-b) and mid beams 11(a-b)). It is possible that the handrail stanchion bases 21 are provided on the inner surface of the main frame and any such variations are within the scope of the present invention. The distance between two handrail stanchion bases may be uniform or irregular. Each handrail stanchion base 21 hosts a handrail stanchion 19. FIG 2b illustrates an exemplary depiction of this. In the handrail stanchion base 21 , a handrail stanchion 19 is inserted and secured using a pin 206. [047] Referring again to FIG 2, the vertical handrail stanchions 19 and the handrails 17 are secured via pins or bolts. The handrails 17 consists of an upper pipe 17a and a lower pipe 17b attached to the handrail stanchions 19. The upper pipe 17a and lower pipe 17b are attached to the handrail stanchions 19 via pins bolts. FIG 2c illustrates one such exemplary attachment. Handrail 17a is attached to the inner side of a handrail stanchion 19 via pin 208. All handrail stanchions 19 are identical and can be easily removed and refitted to allow access from ladder or space machinery.

[048] In an exemplary embodiment, the distance between handrail stanchions 19 is designed in such a way that all handrail stanchions are placed at a uniform distance or irregular distance. In various embodiments, handrail stanchions 19 may be of uniform or varying diameters as required in the desired application. However, where handrail support is not required for the users, the mezzanine deck may not include the handrails 17.

[049] FIG 3 illustrates a detailed diagram of a corner beam, say 7a as shown in FIG 1. The corner beam 7a includes a beam 27, plurality of slots 29, a first end flange 31 , a second end flange 33, and a plurality of handrail stanchion base 21. The material of the beam 27 which the corner beam 7a may be made tough material such as iron, steel, alloys, composite materials etc. The slots 29 are provided on the inner surface of the corner beam 7a, while handrail stanchion bases 21 are provided on the outer surface of the corner beam 7a. To each handrail stanchion base 21 a handrail stanchion 19 is secured. Optionally, the corner beam 7a may be covered with a protective coating, for example toe board.

[050] The first end flange 31 is provided on the first end of the corner beam 7a while the second end flange 33 is provided on the second end of the corner beam 7a. One end of an intermediate beam 15 is inserted into a slot 29 while the other end of intermediate beam 15 is inserted into a corresponding slot of other corner beam 7b. The intermediate beams 15 are secured with pins after they are inserted in the slots. To the first end flange 31 , a first end of the end beam 9a is fitted. FIG 3a depicts an exploded view of the first end flange 31 which is placed on the inner surface of the beam 27 and can be secured to the end beam 9a of FIG 1 via bolts 302. To the second end flange 33, one end of the mid beam 11a of FIG 1 is fitted. FIG 3b depicts an exploded view of the second end flange 33 which is placed adjacent to the end of beam 27. Mid beam 11a as shown in FIG 1 can be secured to the flange 33 via bolts that can be inserted in holes 304.

[051] FIG 4 refers to the framework of the foundation structure 1a as shown in FIG 1. Foundation structure 1 b is similar to the foundation structure 1a. The foundation structure 1a consists of a plurality of mounting clamps 5a for mounting the platform structure 3. Mounting clamps 5a are provided on the peripheral rods 43 of the foundation structure 1a. A perspective view of the mounting clamp 5a is shown in FIG 4a. The mounting clamp 5a has a number of holes 402 to which a corner beam can be secured. In addition to clamps 5a, a plurality of clamps 5b are provided for mounting supporting beams 13. Clamps 5b are provided on the inner rods 45 of the foundation structure 1a. A perspective view of the mounting clamp 5b is shown in FIG 4b. As can be seen, the mounting clamp 5b used to mount supporting beams 13 is of smaller dimension as the supporting beams 13 are only subject to downward force and not longitudinal forces.

[052] The foundation structure 1a may be designed in accordance with ISO (International Standard Organization) standard for shipping container. The foundation structure 1a may essentially be a network of beams connected together to form a base on which the platform structure 3 rests. The foundation structure 1a may be made of tough material such as iron, steel, alloys, composite material etc.

[053] FIG 5 illustrates a clamp 5a with a lower flange 37 and upper flange 39. The clamp 5a has a lower flange 37 coupled to the foundation structure 1a or 1 b of FIG 1. The lower flange 37 and the upper flange 39 are attached through a mounting bracket 35, that is, the upper flange 39 is bolted onto a mounting bracket 35 provided on the lower flange 37. A corner beam is placed on the upper flange 39 of the clamp 5a such that the upper flange 39 is fitted loosely to the bottom surface of the corner beam allowing the corner beam to adjust freely in the longitudinal direction until fastened in desired position. [054] Similarly, the supporting beams 13 are fitted on the clamps 5b as shown in FIG 1. In this case rather than a corner beam, a supporting beam is fitted on the upper flange of the clamp 5b while the lower flange is mounted on the foundation structure. [055] Thus, the present invention provides for assembling multiple parts to form a collapsible platform structure 3 which thereby acts as a standalone piece of equipment rather than a part of the vessel itself. The multiple parts may be easily assembled using bolted flanges and slots with securing pin functions and thus do not require welding, grinding or cutting. It also shortens the installation time as well as removal time significantly. Further, it enables easy transportation as standard shipping container as well as fast and cost effective installation.

[056] It would be obvious to a person having ordinary skill in the art that many of the components described herein may be modified, altered, varied or substituted with alternatives or equivalents that have not been specifically described here. They are thus not to be considered as departures from the invention but as falling within the scope and spirit of the claims that follow. For example, rather than using bolts or clamps, other ways of securing two parts can be used.

[057] The present invention provides following advantages: (1 ) reduced time for installation and removal, (2) possibility of shipping transportation as shipping container, (3) considered as cargo on a ship and not part of the vessel, therefore not required to be assessed and approved by vessel's class society, (4) flexible to fit any common size of offshore vessel without modification to the mezzanine deck or the vessel.

[058] There has thus, been shown and described an offshore mezzanine deck which fulfils all the objects and advantages sought therefore. Many changes, modifications, variations and other uses and applications of the subject invention will, however, become apparent to those skilled in the art after considering this specification and the accompanying drawings which disclose the preferred embodiments thereof. All such changes, modifications, variations and other uses and applications which do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention are deemed to be covered by the invention, which is to be limited only by the claims which follow.

[059] Although the invention has been described in detail for the purpose of illustration based on what is currently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that such detail is solely for that purpose and that the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments, but, on the contrary, is intended to cover modifications and equivalent arrangements that are within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. For example, it is to be understood that the present invention contemplates that, to the extent possible, one or more features of any embodiment can be combined with one or more features of any other embodiment.

Claims

Claims:

1. A portable assembly for assembling a mezzanine deck, the assembly comprising of:

- a plurality of foundation structures; and

- a collapsible platform structure,

wherein the collapsible platform structure is adapted to be secured to the foundation structures to form the mezzanine deck.

2. The portable assembly according to the claim 1 , wherein the collapsible platform structure comprises a main frame, wherein the main frame comprises:

a plurality of corner beams, wherein the each corner beam is having a first end and a second end opposite to the first end;

a plurality of end beams, wherein the each end beam is secured between the first ends of two consecutive corner beams; and

a plurality of mid beams, wherein the at least one mid beam of the plurality of mid beams is secured between either the second ends of two consecutive corner beams or the second end of a corner beam and another mid beam or the at least two mid beams.

3. The portable assembly according to the claim 2, wherein the each end beam is secured to the first end by one or more bolts.

4. The portable assembly according to the claim 2, wherein the mid beam is secured by one or more bolts.

5. The portable assembly according to the claim 2, wherein each of the plurality of corner beams is secured to one of the plurality of foundation structures by one or more clamps.

6. The portable assembly according to the claim 5, wherein the clamp further comprises:

a lower flange;

a mounting bracket provided on the lower flange; and

an upper flange bolted onto the mounting bracket to be secured either to one of the plurality of corner beams or to one of a plurality of supporting beams.

7. The portable assembly according to claim 6, wherein the lower flange of the clamp is bolted to each of the foundation structures in a fixed position for positioning of the beam corners in any given longitudinal direction.

8. The portable assembly according to the claim 2 wherein, the assembly further comprises a plurality of supporting beams placed parallel to the plurality of corner beams, wherein each supporting beam is sandwiched between one of the plurality of foundation structures and the collapsible platform structure.

9. The portable assembly according to the claim 2 wherein, the collapsible platform structure further comprises:

a plurality of handrail stanchion bases coupled to the outer surface of the main frame;

a plurality of handrail stanchions, wherein each handrail stanchion is inserted and secured into one of the plurality of handrail stanchion bases; and

a plurality of handrails, wherein the each handrail is fitted on the plurality of the handrail stanchions.

10. The portable assembly according to the claim 2, wherein the collapsible

platform structure further comprises a plurality of intermediate beams, wherein each intermediate beam is inserted in a pair of opposite slots provided on the corner beams or mid beams of the main frame.