WO2016116688A1

WO2016116688A1 - Ship with a telescopic gangway for transferring individuals between the ship and a stationary or near-stationary object at sea, such as a wind turbine

Info

Publication number: WO2016116688A1
Application number: PCT/FR2016/050087
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jean-Claude BRIGNOLA; Didier Dumont
Original assignee: Constructions Industrielles De La Mediterranee - Cnim
Priority date: 2015-01-23
Filing date: 2016-01-18
Publication date: 2016-07-28
Also published as: DK3247623T3; EP3247623B1; EP3247623A1; FR3031956B1; FR3031956A1

Abstract

The present invention relates to a ship with a telescopic gangway for transferring individuals between the ship and a stationary or near-stationary object at sea, such as a wind turbine. According to the invention, the device (20) for coupling the end of the telescopic gangway (4) to a stationary object at sea is characterized in that it comprises two jaws (21) located one on each side of the end of the telescopic gangway (4) and respectively provided with inflatable cushions (22) that can be arranged between two parallel uprights secured to the object at sea and fixed between these by inflating the cushions (22). The invention finds an application in the maintenance of offshore wind turbines.

Description

A ship with a telescopic transfer bridge between the ship and an object stationary or almost stationary at sea, such as a wind turbine. The present invention relates to a vessel equipped with a system for transferring people between the ship and a stationary or almost stationary object at sea, such as a fixed and floating wind turbine or another vessel.

It applies in particular to a maintenance vessel carrying technicians on fields of offshore wind turbines whose operation requires maintenance operations.

Document EP 1 315 651 discloses a maintenance ship equipped with a telescopically expandable bridge that can be removably connected to a pillar at sea constituting a support column of a wind turbine to ensure the transfer of persons between the ship and the ship. ' wind turbine.

The telescopic gangway, which can be extended or retracted by means of at least one actuator, such as a hydraulic cylinder, has an end mounted on the deck of the ship about parallel and vertical axes to the deck of the ship under the action respectively at least one actuator and a drive means for lifting the bridge around the parallel axis and a rotational movement of the bridge around the vertical axis perpendicular to the deck of the ship.

The telescopic gangway carries at its opposite free end a device for coupling the bridge to a portion of the pillar of the wind turbine.

The coupling or connection device is suspended from a connecting platform fixed to the end of the telescopic gangway via a transverse axis, the suspension being such that it allows a certain freedom of movement around this axis and two other axes perpendicular to each other. In addition, the connection device is equipped with two jaws that can be actuated by actuators, such as hydraulic cylinders, and that can cooperate with a guide and connecting rod integral with the wind turbine pestle parallel to it so that the connecting jaws can be closed around the connecting rod to thereby connect the bridge to the wind turbine pillar and ensure the transfer of personnel between the ship and the wind turbine.

However, such a connecting device is of a relatively complex structure and the presence of three orthogonal pivoting axes connecting the platform assembly and connection device at the end of the telescopic bridge makes it difficult to position the two connection jaws. around the connecting rod before the operation of closing these jaws around the connecting rod.

The object of the invention is to overcome the above disadvantages of the prior art.

For this purpose, the invention proposes a vessel equipped with a system for the transfer of persons between the ship and a stationary or almost stationary object at sea, such as a fixed or floating wind turbine or another vessel, comprising a telescopic gangway capable of being extended or retracted by means of at least one actuator and one end of which is mounted on the deck of the pivoting vessel controlled by at least one actuator about an axis parallel to the deck of the ship and rotating controlled by means of driving around an axis perpendicular to the deck of the ship and the opposite end may be removably attached to the object at sea via a coupling device assembled at the opposite end of the bridge, and which is characterized in that the coupling device comprises two jaws disposed on either side of the opposite end of the telescopic gangway, provided respectively with airbags and pasta be arranged between two parallel uprights secured to the object at sea and fixed therebetween by inflating the cushions.

Preferably, each of the two airbag jaws is pivotally mounted to the opposite end of the telescopic gangway by an actuator about an axis perpendicular to the floor of the telescopic gangway so as to allow the two jaws to occupy an position close to each other towards the telescopic gangway allowing the introduction of the two jaws between the two amounts of the object at sea and, once introduced between the two uprights, a position spaced apart from each other to which the cushions can be inflated to fix the two jaws between the two uprights.

Advantageously, the coupling device further comprises two pads located on either side of the end of the telescopic gangway and bearing respectively on the two uprights of the object at sea when attaching the two jaws between them. two amounts.

Preferably, the two airbag jaws and the two support pads are mounted on a support structure assembled at the end of the bridge via an elastic ball joint.

Advantageously, the two airbag jaws are pivotally mounted respectively on two sides of the two support pads adjacent to the telescopic gangway and extending perpendicular to the floor thereof.

According to a preferred embodiment, the support structure comprises two rigid bars extending transversely on either side of the end of the telescopic gangway and on which are fixed respectively the two support pads which extend according to a direction perpendicular to the floor of the telescopic gangway and the two airbag jaws extend forward of the end faces of the two support pads in opposite directions to the end of the telescopic gangway.

Advantageously, the two support pads are integral with two sleeves threaded respectively on the two rigid bars and can be fixed on these bars at a position of adjustment of separation of the two airbag jaws as a function of the spacing distance of the two amounts of the object at sea.

Each actuator for pivoting an airbag jaw relative to the associated bearing pad comprises a cylinder, in particular a hydraulic jack, interposed between the support pad at the rear of the latter and at least one arm integral with the airbag jaw face opposite to that comprising the airbag.

Preferably, each airbag jaw is constituted by a flat plate of generally rectangular shape and each support pad is constituted by an arcuate plate of generally rectangular shape, whose concave face intended to bear against a corresponding amount of object at sea comprises a protective coating of elastomeric material.

The support structure of the airbag jaws and the support pads includes a personnel transfer dock between the telescopic gangway and the object at sea.

The vessel further comprises a device for controlling and controlling the extension or retraction actuator of the telescopic gangway, the actuator for pivoting the telescopic gangway about the axis parallel to the deck of the ship and the driving in rotation of the bridge around the axis perpendicular to the deck of the ship and able to deactivate these actuators and the means for driving in rotation when the bridge is attached to the object at sea by the jaws of the coupling device so that the telescopic bridge acts as a passive gateway.

The control and control device is able to also control the pivoting actuators of the two jaws and the airbags and, when an excessive load is exerted on these jaws fixing the telescopic bridge to the amounts of the object at sea, the device is able to cause the deflation of the cushions and to control the actuators to perform the pivoting of the jaws in one direction releasing them from between the two amounts of the object at sea.

The end of the telescopic gangway is mounted on a support platform of a cockpit comprising the control and control device, which platform is rotatably mounted on the deck of the ship under the action of the medium. drive which can be constituted by an electric geared motor assembly and the actuator for pivoting the bridge around the axis parallel to the bridge is constituted by a jack, including hydraulic, interposed between the end of the telescopic gangway and the plate rotating form.

The telescopic gangway at least two sections, one expandable relative to the other, is provided with two actuators for extension and retraction of the bridge, each actuator comprising a hydraulic motor integral with the non-expandable section below it , and whose motor shaft carries a pinion, and a rack meshing with the pinion and secured to the extensible section along one side thereof and under the latter.

The invention also relates to a method for coupling a ship, as defined above, to a stationary or almost stationary object at sea, such as a fixed or almost floating wind turbine or another vessel, via an extensible bridge. telescopically under the action of at least one first actuator, and one end of which is mounted on the deck of the ship so as to be pivotable under the action of at least one second actuator about an axis parallel to the deck of the ship and rotating about an axis of rotation perpendicular to the deck of the ship under the action of a drive means, and the opposite end may be removably attached to the object at sea via a device coupling device assembled at the opposite end of the gateway, and which is characterized in that it comprises the steps:

approach of the ship, stabilized by a dynamic positioning system, of the object at sea,

lifting and rotating the telescopic gangway by the second actuator and the drive means at a determined position relative to the ship,

extending the bridge by the first actuator to a determined distance from the amounts of the object at sea,

automatically activating the first and second actuators and the drive means of the bridge so as to compensate for the swell and to allow the coupling device provided with the two airbag jaws to be fixed relative to the amounts of the object in question. sea,

extending the bridge over the distance remaining between the amounts of the object at sea and the coupling device until the jaws are introduced between the two uprights and the pads of the bridge are supported on these amounts, and

- Jaw spacing to the uprights and inflating cushions to secure the bridge between the amounts of the object at sea.

The method further comprises the step of deactivating the aforementioned actuators and the drive means of the gateway so that this the last behaves like a passive gateway, the dynamic positioning system of the ship remaining active.

The method further comprises the steps of deflating the jaw cushions, approaching the jaws toward the bridge to unhook the jaws from between the two posts of the object at sea and retracting the bridge to disengage the jaws from between both amounts in case of overload applied to these jaws.

The invention will be better understood, and other objects, features, details and advantages thereof will appear more clearly in the explanatory description which follows, with reference to the appended schematic drawings given solely by way of example, illustrating a mode of embodiment of the invention and in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a vessel connected to a pillar of a wind turbine at sea via a telescopic transfer bridge according to the invention;

- Figure 2 is an enlarged perspective view along the arrow II of Figure 1, the ship is not shown;

- Figure 3 is a partial top view of the vessel showing the telescopic transfer bridge inactive inactive position;

- Figure 4 is a perspective view along the arrow IV of Figure 2 without the pillar of the wind turbine;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view from below of the telescopic gangway along the arrow V of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of the coupling device of the invention intended to be assembled at the end of the telescopic gangway;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged perspective view of the coupling device of the invention; - Figure 8 is a bottom perspective view along the arrow VIII of Figure 7;

Figure 9 is a reduced scale view of the coupling device along arrow IX of Figure 7;

- Figure 10 is a top view along the arrow X of Figure 2; and

FIGS. 11A to 11H are schematic top views of a windmill pillar, ship and transfer bridge assembly showing different relative positions of the ship and the bridge relative to the windmill pile.

Referring to the figures, reference numeral 1 designates a ship, for example of the "maintenance ship" type, for transporting the personnel to access a stationary object at sea 2, such as for example a pillar forming a support column. a fixed wind turbine at sea, the stationary object 2 may also consist of a support pillar of a fixed platform at sea, such as a drilling platform.

However, the object at sea 2 can be almost stationary, that is to say that it can be constituted by a floating wind turbine which oscillates and moves very locally or by another ship.

In the application to a fixed wind turbine at sea, the personnel may comprise technicians able to climb the pillar 2 by means of a ladder 3 integral with the pillar 2 along the latter in order to carry out maintenance operations of the wind turbine.

To allow personnel access to the pillar 2 of the wind turbine from the ship 1, the latter is equipped with a telescopically expandable or retractable bridge 4 comprising at least two sections, a first section 5 and a second section 6 can be extended or retracted relative to the first section 5 as indicated by the double arrow C in FIG. at least one actuator 7, preferably two in number.

By way of example, each actuator 7 comprises a hydraulic motor 8 fixed to the first section 5 of the bridge 4 under this section in the vicinity of its free end and on one side thereof, the hydraulic motor 8 having its shaft motor carrying a pinion 9, and a rack 10 meshing with the pinion 9 of the hydraulic motor 8, which rack is integral with one side of the second gateway section 6 below and all along this side.

The two hydraulic motors 8 with pinions 9 and the two racks 10 are arranged symmetrically with the longitudinal median plane of the two bridge sections 5, 6 and perpendicular to the floor 11 of the gateway 4. However, the second gateway section 6 can be extended or retracted by any other type of actuator, such as for example at least one hydraulic jack interposed between the two bridge sections 5, 6.

The first gangway section 5 comprises two pairs of rollers 12 integral on each side below and allowing the second gangway section 6 to slide without friction on the first gangway section 5 between its extended and retracted positions.

Each of the bridge sections 5, 6 is provided with two lateral guardrails 13, 14.

The gateway section 5 has its opposite end to that comprising the actuators 7 mounted on the bridge 1 of the pivotally controlled vessel 1 by at least one actuator 15 about an axis A1-A2 parallel to the bridge 1a of the ship 1. , the end of the bridge section 5 is rotatably mounted by a drive means 16 relative to the bridge a of the ship 1 about an axis B1-B2 perpendicular to the bridge la of this vessel.

The pivot axis A1-A2 of the bridge section 5 relative to the bridge 1 of the ship 1 is secured to a platform 17 rotatably mounted about the axis B1-B2 relative to the bridge of the ship 1.

Preferably, two actuators 15 are provided to pivot the bridge section 5 and may be constituted by two hydraulic cylinders 15 symmetrically disposed at the longitudinal median plane of the bridge 4 being interposed between the upper ends of two rails 13 of the gateway section 5 and the rotating platform 17.

The means 16 for rotating the gateway 4 around the axis B1-B2 is preferably constituted by a set of electric motor and gearbox housed in the bridge of the ship 1 and coupled to the rotating platform 17.

The rotating platform 17 supports a cockpit 18 in which an operator can take place.

The free end of the second gateway section 6 carries a coupling or connecting device 20 for removably securing the end of the bridge section 6 to the wind turbine pillar 2.

According to the invention, the coupling device 20 comprises two jaws 21 disposed on either side of the end of the bridge section 6, provided respectively with airbags 22 integral with the faces of the jaws 21 located opposite the sides of the end of the bridge section 6, which jaws 21 may be disposed between two parallel cylindrical uprights 2a of the pillar of the wind turbine 2 and fixed between these two uprights by inflating the cushions 22 as will be seen later.

The two uprights 2a extend parallel to the wind turbine pillar 2 along the latter and are fixed to this pillar by means of several parallel pairs of horizontal arms 2c diverging from the wind turbine pillar 2. scale 3 to access the wind turbine is fixed between the pairs of support arms 2c at a location between the wind turbine pillar 2 and the two vertical uprights 2a which provide protection for the ladder 3.

The two jaws 21 are mounted pivotally controlled at the end of the extensible section 6 of the bridge 4 respectively about two axes D1-D2 located on either side of the bridge section 6 perpendicular to the floor 11 of the latter .

The controlled pivoting of each jaw 21 about the pivot axis D1-D2 is provided by an actuator 23, which will be defined later, and which allows the two jaws 21 to occupy a position close to each other to the bridge section 6 to allow the introduction of the two jaws 21 between the two uprights 2a of the pillar 2 and, once introduced between these two uprights, a position spaced apart from each other to which the cushions 22 can be inflated to fix the two jaws 21 between the two uprights 2a.

The coupling device 20 further comprises two fixed pads 24 located on either side of the end of the bridge section 6 and able to bear respectively on the two uprights 2a of the pillar 2 when attaching the two jaws 21 between these two amounts.

The two airbag jaws 21 and the two support pads 24 are mounted on a common support structure 25 which is assembled at the end of the bridge section 6 via an elastic ball joint connection 26. .

Preferably, each jaw 21 is constituted by a flat plate 27 of generally rectangular shape extending in a plane perpendicular to the floor 11 of the bridge section 6 and whose face facing away from the bridge section 6 comprises the airbag 22 which is fixed and extends over substantially the entire surface of this face. Each support pad 24 is constituted by an arcuate plate 28 of generally rectangular shape, whose concave front face intended to rest on a corresponding amount 2a of the pillar 2 comprises a protective coating 29 of elastomeric material.

The convex or dorsal face of the arcuate plate 28 of each support pad 24 comprises stiffening ribs 28a and a sleeve 30 constituted by a tubular portion with a square section integral with the convex face of the support pad 24 transversely to the longitudinal sides. plate 28 of this pad. The two longitudinal sides of the plate 28 of each support pad 24 extend in a plane perpendicular to the floor 11 of the bridge section 6.

The support structure 25 of the jaws 21 and support pads 24 comprises two coaxial rigid bars 31 extending transversely on either side of the end section of the bridge 6 and on which are fixed respectively the two runners support 24 which thus extend in a direction perpendicular to the rigid bars 31. More specifically, each rigid bar 31 has a rectangular cross-sectional shape and each support pad 24 is secured to the corresponding rigid bar 31 by its sleeve 30 threaded on the rigid bar 31.

The two airbag jaws 21 are pivotally mounted about the axes D1-D2 respectively at two sides of the support pads 24 adjacent to the bridge section 6 and extending perpendicularly to the floor 11 of the latter.

Each actuator 23 allowing the pivoting of the corresponding jaw 21 relative to the support pads 24 around the axis D1-D2 is preferably constituted by a cylinder including the hydraulic type whose rod 23a is connected to a yoke 32 secured to the sleeve 30 of the support pad 24 and the body 23b is secured to two parallel arms 33 themselves secured the face of the plate 27 of the jaw 21 opposite to that comprising the airbag 22.

The two parallel pivoting arms 33 of each jaw 21 are disposed above and below the corresponding rigid bar 31 in two planes parallel to the rigid bar 31 and are connected at their opposite ends to the jaw 21 by a perpendicular axis 34 the two arms 33 and which is fixed body 23b of the actuator cylinder 23 which extends parallel to the sleeve 30 and the rigid bar 31. Thus, the actuator cylinder 23 allows, through the arms 33 and the axis 34, the pivoting of the jaw 21 about the axis D1-D2 between its positions close to the gateway section 6 and spaced therefrom.

The two jaws 21 extend forward of the end faces of the protective pads 29 of the support pads 24 and opposite the end of the bridge section 6. These jaws are inclined towards the longitudinal median plane of the gateway 4 to their position ensuring their introduction between the two uprights 2a and are substantially parallel to this median plane to their position allowing their attachment between the two uprights 2a.

Each assembly constituted by a jaw 21, a support pad 24, an actuator 23, the arms 33 and the axis 34 of pivoting of the jaw 21, is mounted on the corresponding rigid bar 31 at a selectively adjustable position to allow a adjusting the spacing of the two jaws 21 on either side of the bridge section 6 as a function of the spacing distance between the two uprights 2a of the windmill pillar 2. For this purpose, each sleeve 30 is provided with along the latter of a series of holes that can come coaxially with threaded holes of the corresponding rigid support bar 31 for fixing the sleeve 30 and, therefore, the support pad 24 of the jaw 21 to a position chosen on the rigid bar 31 by fixing screws through these holes and tapped holes.

The support structure 25 of the jaws 21 and the support pads 24 comprises a dock or personnel transfer platform 40 to which are secured the rigid bars 31 on either side of the latter and which is fixed to the end of the bridge section 6 via the elastic ball joint 26 being disposed substantially in the same plane as that of the floor 11 of the bridge section 6.

The dock 40 is provided with two lateral portions 41 forming a safety railing and an end wall 42 fixed between the two lateral portions 41 transversely thereto and being able to come close to the bars 3a of the ladder 3. to allow a maintenance service person to climb the windmill pillar 2.

The dock 40 comprises a clevis portion 43 disposed between the two rigid bars 31 in the median plane of the dock 40 perpendicular to the latter and extending between the two lateral parts of the railing 41 and in which the clevis portion 43 is mounted pivoting a cylindrical pin 44 through a cylindrical axis 45 through the clevis portion 43 in a direction perpendicular to the two branches of the fork portion and which is fixed thereto by a tip 46 secured to one ends of the axis 45 protruding from one of the branches of the clevis portion 43. An elastic sleeve 47, for example of elastomeric material, is housed in the cylindrical pin 44 through which the axis 45 passes. cylindrical pin 44 has a tab 47 integral with the pin 44 perpendicular to it and which is fixed to another tab 48 of a plate 49 fixed, for example by welding, to the end portion of the bridge section 6 under its floor 11. The connection between the lug 47 of the trunnion 44 and the tab 48 of the connecting plate 49 is provided by a cylindrical shaft assembly 50 and elastic sleeve of elastomeric material 51 passing through the tabs 47, 48 with the sleeve 51 housed in the tab 47, the axis 50 being secured to its end through the leg 48 by a tip 50a.

Thus, the support structure 25 at dock 40 is connected to the end of the bridge section 6 by the elastic ball joint connection 26 allowing self-centering of the jaws 21 between the two uprights 2a of the windmill pillar 2 during the operation of fixing the jaws 21 to these amounts. In addition, the elastic ball joint 26 absorbs the relative movements of the bridge 4 vis-à-vis the pillar 2 once the jaws 21 fixed thereto.

The vessel 1 is equipped with a device 60 for controlling and controlling the actuators 7 for extending or retracting the telescopic gangway 4, the actuators 15 for pivoting the telescopic gangway 4 around the axis A1-A2 and the means 16 for rotating the telescopic gangway 4 around the axis of rotation B1-B2.

This device is preferably housed in the cockpit 18 as symbolized by the reference 60 in FIG.

This control and control device 60 is also able to control the actuators 23 for pivoting the two jaws 21, as well as the inflation and deflation of the cushions 22 of the jaws 21.

The control and control device 60 is connected to the hydraulic control circuit of the actuators 15 when they are constituted by hydraulic cylinders which are connected by a pipe to a hydraulic pressure tank that can be positioned in the engine room of the ship. The device 60 is also connected to the hydraulic control circuit of the actuators 23 when they are constituted by hydraulic cylinders, the cylinders 23 being connected to a flexible pipe along the telescopic gangway 4 and connected to a hydraulic pressure tank which can also be positioned in the engine room of the ship and be the same as that supplying the actuators 15. The device control and control 60 is also connected to a hydraulic supply circuit of the actuators 7 when they are constituted by hydraulic motors and an electrical supply circuit of the electric motor of the means 16 for rotating the gateway telescopic 4 around the B1-B2 axis.

As shown in FIG. 3, the telescopic gangway 4 can occupy an inactive stowed position on the deck 1a of the ship 1 with its two bridge sections 5, 6 retracted into one another. The bridge occupies its stored position by being arranged obliquely relative to the longitudinal direction of the ship 1 and the cockpit 18 is located in front of the ship 1. However, the cockpit 18 may be located behind the ship 1 and the bridge 4 can occupy its idle row position by extending in a direction substantially transverse to the longitudinal direction of this vessel.

Although this is not shown in FIG. 3, the telescopic gangway 4 is mechanically locked to the deck 1 of the ship 1 by a kind of pin which connects the bridge 4 to the bridge 1 of the ship during the navigation of the latter so that the bridge 4 can not move under the action of the swell. Such a pin can be connected to the bridge of the ship 1 by a chain to make it captive.

The method for coupling the vessel 1 to the pillar 2 of the wind turbine via the telescopically extensible bridge 4 is already partly in the foregoing description and will now be explained. The ship 1 goes to the site of the wind turbine field by means of its propulsion system and its dynamic positioning system with the telescopic gangway 4 occupying its inactive row position of FIG. 3. The dynamic positioning system allows the ship 1 to stay in the same position despite winds and ocean currents.

Before arriving at the site of a wind turbine, in the situation in which the spacing distance between the two uprights 2a of the pillar of each wind turbine 2 is known in advance, the spacing distance between the two jaws 21 may be preset by attaching the jaw support sleeves 21 and support pads 24 to the rigid bars 31 at a suitable adjustment location.

Once this spacing adjustment of the jaws 21, the telescopic gangway 4 is unlocked from the bridge of the ship 1 by removing the pin mechanical locking means.

Then, the ship approaches the wind turbine and the operator present in the cockpit 18 controls through the control and control device 60 the hydraulic cylinders actuators 15 to lift the telescopic gangway 4 around the pivot axis A1-A2 and the drive means 16 with an electric motor for rotating the telescopic gangway 4 about the axis of rotation B1-B2 to allow the passage of the telescopic gangway 4 above the guard -body of the ship to a position where the bridge 4 has its longitudinal axis substantially in alignment with the two uprights 2a of windmill pillar 2.

The operator, through the control and control device 60, activates the hydraulic motor actuators 8 to deploy the expandable gateway section 6 relative to the gateway section 5 to a substantially mid-way position. race at which the expandable bridge section 6 is stopped at a distance close to the uprights 2a of the windmill pillar 2, for example about three meters, and the operator then activates the wave compensation system allowing the end the bridge section 6 provided with its coupling device 20 and thus the jaws 21 to be fixed with respect to a terrestrial reference constituted in this case by the amounts 2a of the windmill pillar 2. This compensation is effected by automatic activations by means of the control and control system 60 of the hydraulic cylinder actuators 15, the drive means 16 and the actuators 7 with hydraulic motors 8, so that the jaw coupling device 21 remains stationary relative to the wind turbine pillar 2 and, during this time, the vessel 1 maintains its position thanks to its dynamic positioning system.

The operator then controls the device 60 actuators 7 with hydraulic motors 8 to deploy the expandable bridge section 6 over the remaining distance relative to the amount 2a, in this case about three meters with the compensation system still swell in operation by automatic actuations of the actuators 15 with hydraulic cylinders and the drive means 16 of the bridge 4, until the pads 24 come to rest via their protective coatings 29 respectively on the two uprights 2a 2. It should be noted that the operator can also perform positioning corrections with the actuators 15, 16 at the same time as the latter compensate in order to improve the positioning of the jaws 21 relative to the uprights 2a of the pillar. 2. In addition, when the jaws 21 are inserted between the two uprights 2a before the pads 24 come into operation. on these, the jaws occupy their inclined position towards the longitudinal median plane of the bridge 4 and can come into contact with these uprights to self-center between them by means of the elastic ball joint 26 connecting the coupling device 20 to the end of the bridge section 6. Then, the operator controls via the device 60 and actuators with hydraulic cylinders 23 the spacing of the jaws 21 by pivoting about the axes D1-D2 relative to the pads 24 in support of the uprights 2a at a position in which the jaws 21 are substantially parallel to the longitudinal median plane of the bridge 4 and the inflation of the cushions 22 which exert on each of the uprights 2a a force energetically blocking the two jaws 21 between the two uprights 2a.

Once the cushions 22 are inflated so as to lock the jaws 21 between the two uprights 2a, the operator controls via the device 60 the stop of the wave compensation, that is to say that it controls the actuators with hydraulic cylinders 15, the drive means 16 and the actuators 7 with hydraulic motors 8 to disable them so that the bridge 4 can behave as a passive mooring allowing the bridge 4 to move freely relative to the wind pillar 2 according to its three degrees of freedom. The transfer of personnel from the ship 1 to the wind turbine pillar 2 can then be carried out via the bridge 4 and the vessel 1 has its dynamic positioning system remaining active.

Under these conditions, the transfer of personnel through the bridge 4 can be done easily and safely as well as the staff can re-board on the vessel 1 by the bridge 4 safely after completing its maintenance work on the wind turbine. .

During the behavior of the bridge 4 as a passive mooring connecting the ship 1 to the wind turbine pillar 2, the control and control device 60 can be designed to monitor using sensors appropriate, the racing or deflection of the bridge 4 according to its three degrees of freedom and this device can be made to unhook or disengage the jaws 21 of the two uprights 2a of the windmill pillar 2 in case of too much load applied to the coupling device 20 and due to too rough conditions of the sea. In fact, the control and control device 60 is made to monitor three working areas of the bridge 4, a first so-called safety zone where the transfer personnel between the ship 1 and the wind turbine pillar 2 can be safely carried out, a second so-called warning zone where the personnel is not authorized to use the bridge 4 and a third danger zone due to a sea too agitated driving the device 50 to control the deflation of the cushions 22, the actuators with hydraulic cylinders 23 to bring the jaws 21 to their close position and inclined towards the section of p asserelle 6 and the actuators 7 with hydraulic motors 8 to retract the bridge section 6 and, therefore, disengage the jaws 21 with deflated cushions 22 from between the two uprights 2a of the wind turbine pillar 2, with automatic elevation of the bridge 4 by the actuators 15.

Once the maintenance operations have been completed on the wind turbine, the operator controls, via the device 60, the deflation of the cushions 22, the pivoting by the actuators with hydraulic jacks 23 of the jaws 21 at their close position and inclined towards the section 6, the retraction of the bridge section 6 in the bridge section 5 to unhook or disengage the jaws 21 from between the two uprights 2a of the windmill pillar 2, the rotation by the drive means 16 of the gateway 4 about the axis B1-B2 and the lowering by the actuators with hydraulic cylinders 15 of the bridge 4 around the axis A1-A2 to its inactive storage position on the bridge of the vessel 1 and to which the bridge is locked by the pin mechanical locking means.

FIGS. 11A to 11D show different configurations of ship 1 orientations relative to the wind turbine pillar 2 according to the directions of the marine current and the wind symbolized by a double arrow with the bridge 4 connected at one of its ends to the pillars 2a of the pillar and its opposite end to the ship on its longitudinal axis or "axial gangway". The circled portion coaxially surrounding the pillar 2 constituting a safety zone, for example about five meters.

FIGS. 11E to 11H show the same direction conditions of the marine current and the wind as in FIGS. 11A to 11D, but with the bridge having its end opposite to that connected to the wind turbine pillar 2 connected to one side of the vessel or " lateral bridge ". This side-gang configuration is preferred to that of an axial gangway because the ship 1 can never hit the windmill pillar 2.

The above-described transfer system of the invention makes it possible to transfer personnel between the maintenance vessel 1 and a wind turbine at sea safely under sea conditions of significant height Hs1 / 3 ≤ 3 meters.

As already explained above, the transfer system of the invention can be applied to an almost stationary object, such as a floating wind turbine which oscillates and moves very locally. Under these conditions, the system could be programmed to follow in addition the oscillations of the docking location by optical technical means. The transfer system can also be applied to another ship and it will then be necessary again to compensate for the oscillations of this ship to dock.

Claims

1. Ship (1) equipped with a person transfer system between the ship (1) and a stationary or near-stationary object at sea (2), such as a fixed or floating wind turbine or another vessel, including a bridge telescopic means (4) extendable or retractable by means of at least one actuator (7) and one end of which is mounted on the bridge (1a) of the ship (1) pivotally controlled by at least one actuator (15) around an axis (A1-A2) parallel to the deck (la) of the ship (1) and rotating controlled by a drive means (16) about an axis (B1-B2) perpendicular to the deck (la) of the ship (1) and the opposite end can be removably attached to the object at sea (2) via a coupling device (20) assembled at the opposite end of the bridge (4), characterized in that that the coupling device (20) comprises two jaws (21) disposed on either side of the opposite end of the telescopic gangway (4), respectively provided with airbags (22) and adapted to be arranged between two parallel uprights (2a) integral with the object at sea (2) and fixed therebetween by inflating the cushions (22).

2. Vessel according to claim 1, characterized in that each of the two airbag (22) jaws (21) is pivotally mounted to the opposite end of the telescopic gangway (4) by an actuator (23) around an axis (D1-D2) perpendicular to the floor (11) of the telescopic gangway (4) so as to allow the two jaws (21) to occupy a position close to one another towards the telescopic gangway (4). ) allowing the introduction of the two jaws (21) between the two uprights (2a) of the object at sea (2) and, once introduced between the two uprights (2a), a position spaced apart from each other to which the cushions (22) can be inflated to fix the two jaws (21) between the two uprights (2a).

3. Ship according to claim 2, characterized in that the coupling device (20) further comprises two pads (24) located on either side of the end of the telescopic gangway (4) and respectively bearing on the two uprights (2a) of the object at sea (2) when attaching the two jaws (21) between these two uprights.

4. Vessel according to claim 3, characterized in that the two jaws (21) with airbags (22) and the two support pads (24) are mounted on a support structure (25) assembled at the end of the bridge (4) via an elastic ball joint (26).

Vessel according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that the two airbag jaws (22) are pivotally mounted respectively on two sides of the two bearing pads (24) adjacent to the telescopic gangway ( 4) and extending perpendicularly to the floor (11) thereof.

6. Vessel according to claim 5, characterized in that the support structure (25) comprises two rigid bars (31) extending transversely on either side of the end of the telescopic gangway (4) and on which the two support pads (24) which extend in a direction perpendicular to the floor (11) of the telescopic gangway (4) and the two airbag-type jaws (22) are respectively fixed. extend front faces of the two support pads (24) in opposite directions to the end of the telescopic gangway (4).

7. Ship according to claim 6, characterized in that the two bearing pads (24) are integral with two sleeves (30) threaded respectively on the two rigid bars (31) and can be fixed on these bars at a position of gap adjustment of both jaws (21) with airbags (22) as a function of the spacing distance of the two uprights (2a) from the stationary object (2).

8. Ship according to one of claims 5 to 7, characterized in that each actuator (23) for controlling the pivoting of a jaw (21) airbag

(22) relative to the associated bearing pad (24) comprises a cylinder, in particular hydraulic, interposed between the bearing pad (24) behind that and at least one arm (33) integral with the face of the jaw ( 21) with an airbag (22) opposite to that comprising the airbag (22).

9. Ship according to one of claims 3 to 8, characterized in that each jaw (21) airbag (22) is constituted by a flat plate (27) of generally rectangular shape and each support pad (24) is constituted by an arcuate plate (28) of generally rectangular shape, whose concave face intended to rest on a corresponding upright (2a) of the object at sea (2) comprises a protective coating (29) of elastomeric material .

Ship according to one of claims 4 to 9, characterized in that the support structure (25) of the airbag-type jaws (21) and the support pads (24) comprise a dock (40). transfer of personnel between the telescopic gangway (4) and the object at sea (2).

11. Ship according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that it comprises a device for controlling and controlling (60) the actuator (7) for extending or retracting the telescopic gangway (4). the actuator (15) pivoting the latter about the axis (A1 - A2) parallel to the deck (1a) of the ship (1) and the means (16) for rotating the gateway (4). ) about the axis (B1-B2) perpendicular to the deck (1a) of the ship (1) and adapted to deactivate the actuators (7,15) and the means (16) for driving in rotation when the bridge (4) is attached to the object at sea (2) by the jaws (21) of the coupling device (20) so that the telescopic bridge (4) behaves as a passive gateway.

12. Ship according to claim 11, characterized in that the control and control device (60) is able to also control the actuators (23) for pivoting the two jaws (21) and the airbags (22) and, when too much load is exerted on these jaws (21) fixing the telescopic gangway (4) to the uprights (2a) of the object at sea (2), the device (50) is able to cause the deflation of the cushions (22). ) and controlling the actuators (23) to pivot the jaws (21) in one direction releasing them from between the two uprights (2a) of the object at sea (2).

13. Ship according to claim 11 or 12, characterized in that the end of the telescopic gangway (4) is mounted on a platform (17) for supporting a cockpit (18) comprising the control device. and control (60), which platform (17) is rotatably mounted on the deck (la) of the ship (1) under the action of the driving means (16) which can be constituted by an electric geared motor assembly and the actuator (15) for pivoting the bridge (4) around the axis (A1-A2) parallel to the bridge (la) is constituted by a cylinder, particularly hydraulic, interposed between the end of the telescopic bridge ( 4) and the rotating platform (17).

Ship according to one of Claims 1 to 13, characterized in that the telescopic gangway (4) has at least two sections (5, 6), one (6) expandable relative to the other (5), is provided with two extension actuators (7) and retraction of the bridge, each actuator comprising a hydraulic motor integral with the non-expandable section (5) below and whose motor shaft carries a pinion (9) and a rack (10) meshing with the pinion (9) and secured to the expandable section (6) along one side thereof and under the latter.

A method for coupling a ship (1), as defined in one of claims 1 to 14, to a stationary or near-stationary object at sea (2), such as a fixed or floating wind turbine or other vessel, via a bridge (4) extendable telescopically under the action of at least one first actuator (7), and one end of which is mounted on the deck (1a) of the ship (1) so as to be pivotable under the action of at least a second actuator (15) about an axis (A1-A2) parallel to the deck (la) of the ship (1) and to rotate about an axis of rotation (B1-B2) perpendicular to the deck (1a) of the ship (1) under the action of a driving means (16), and the opposite end can be removably attached to the object at sea (2) via a coupling device (20) assembled at the opposite end of the bridge (4), characterized in that it comprises the steps:

approach of the ship (1), stabilized by a dynamic positioning system, of the object at sea (2),

lifting and rotating the telescopic gangway (4) by the second actuator (15) and the driving means (16) at a determined position relative to the ship (1),

- extending the bridge (4) by the first actuator (7) to a determined distance from the uprights (2a) of the object at sea (2),

- Automatic activation of the first and second actuators (7,15) and the drive means (16) of the bridge (4) so as to compensate the swell and to allow the coupling device (20) provided with both jaws (21) with airbags (22) to be fixed relative to the uprights (2a) of the object at sea (2),

- extending the bridge (4) over the remaining distance between the uprights (2a) of the object at sea (2) and the coupling device (20) until the jaws (21) are introduced between the two uprights (2a) and the pads of the bridge (24) are supported on these uprights,

- spacing the jaws (21) to the uprights (2a) and inflating the cushions (22) to secure the bridge (4) between the uprights (2a) of the object at sea (2).

16. The method of claim 15, characterized in that it comprises the step of deactivating the actuators (7,15) and the drive means (16) of the gateway (4) so that the latter behaves as a passive gateway, the dynamic positioning system of the ship (1) remaining active.

17. The method of claim 15, characterized in that it comprises the steps of deflation of the cushions (22) of the jaws (21) towards the bridge (4) to unhook the jaws (21) from between the two uprights ( 2a) of the object at sea (2) and retraction of the bridge (4) to disengage the jaws (21) from between the two uprights (2a) in case of overload applied to these jaws (21).