DK178188B1 - Method and device for measuring deformations on the deck of off-shore structures and jack-up mounting vessels as well as 3D stabilization system comprising the device for controlling the deformations of the tire. - Google Patents

Abstract

A new method and measuring device for detecting the vertical displacement of the tire on offshore construction jack up montage vessels and offshore platforms, including at least one heavy-lift crane and of a number of supporting legs, are disclosed (18, 20). , 22, 24, 26, 28) intended for submersion on the seabed (71) and on which support legs, in submerged position on the seabed, mounting ship or platform (2) are carried during operations, for example with the crane. The peculiarity of the method is that level offsets are recorded as absolute pressure readings relative to a 0 reference level (54) in a number of liquid-filled tubes (30, 32, 34, 36, 38, 40) connected to precision manometers and pressure transducers (42, 44, 46, 48, 50, 52). A measuring device (4) is indicated for the measurements. Also provided is a special 3D compensation system comprising a first data processing unit (62) and a second data processing and control unit (66) for the position of the support legs (18, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28) relative to the tire (2), comprising a measuring device (4) according to the invention.

Description

The present invention relates to a method for measuring deformations on the deck of offshore construction jack up mounts and offshore platforms, comprising at least one crane for lifting heavy loads, and of the kind comprising a number of support legs intended for subsidence on the seabed and on which the jack up mounting ship or offshore platform is carried during operations, for example with the crane, a recording system for carrying out the method of measuring the deformations, and a 3D stabilization system comprising the recording system performing the method, specially designed for controlling the deformations of the tire.

In the following, for the sake of convenience, the starting point is described in the description of the invention in relation to offshore construction jack up mounting vessels, but the invention will also be applicable to offshore platforms, as stated in the introduction.

Construction jack up montage vessels have found widespread use of mineral resources in the territorial sea, as well as the establishment of wind turbines everywhere. Said assembly vessels are used for repair work on offshore platforms, for the establishment of the same, or for the installation and service of wind turbines on the territorial sea.

Said mounting vessels are intended for handling heavy cargo, which are often placed on the deck of the ship during the voyage to the mounting site, and which, upon arrival at the said site, must be lifted into place by means of the crane (s) present on the mounting ship. For example, said cranes may have a lifting capacity of more than 1000 tonnes, and handling of goods of this magnitude, it cannot be avoided that when removing tires of this magnitude, tensions in the structure of the tire will arise, which, if no compensation is made. of the support of the deck could damage the hull of the ship.

The compensation is performed according to the prior art by measuring the load on the support legs on which the ship is carried during operation with the crane and, on the basis of said measurements, stabilizing the deck, by raising or lowering one or more of the those legs the ship is carried on. However, it has not proved to be an appropriate way to carry out the stabilization of the tensions in the deck, since it cannot be taken into account here whether one or more of the legs of the ship and the crane are supported.

US 2009/0090191 A1 (Lenders et al.) Discloses a known technique for monitoring the legs of oil platforms comprising a plurality of legs where the pressure on the legs is controlled by means of a rack-pin drive with motor and gear system on each leg. The monitoring system comprises a load monitoring unit comprising a load gauge on a selected gear on each rack drive, which in combination defines a rack path system for monitoring the difference of rotation of the selected gears providing an indication of the linear displacement of selected gears. indicate the difference between the respective leg positions on the platform.

The best thing about the operation with tire load and the crane is that the tire is kept in a horizontal position at any time, or in a position that is very horizontal within very small margins. This is to avoid excessive moments on the crane's foundations, and to prevent damage to the deck and the hull of the ship. Tensions that occur in the tire / hull usually generate relatively small height differences on this, and said height differences can therefore be very difficult to detect visually, and when these become finally visible, it is usually too late to compensate for them, as tires and hulls already exist. may have deformed permanently, resulting in weakening of the platform / ship structure. It is therefore extremely important that the tire distribution on the tire is compensated for, even in the case of small deformations caused by load changes on the tire, so that the tension level in the tire's design is always maintained within the tolerances applicable to the load of the materials included in the structure, and be able to compensate by a relative vertical displacement of the respective legs relative to the tire, before an elongation occurs in the materials included in the tire's construction. Of course, inclinometers could be used to measure the slope of the tire relative to the horizontal, but these measurements will only be an indication that a deformation has occurred, but not where on the tire this occurs.

The most convenient way to detect deformations of the tire would be by performing an absolute measurement of the tire's position relative to the horizontal, or relative to the tire's position at the starting position / reference position, and the object of the invention to provide a method for carrying out the tire. such a measurement. Further, the object of the invention is to provide a measuring device for carrying out such a measurement. Further, the object of the invention is to provide a device for automatic 3D stabilization of the deck of said ships, in which the method and the measuring device are used.

It is realized by the invention that an absolute measurement of the tire position and thus the measurement of deformations on the tire of offshore construction jack up mounts and offshore platforms, comprising at least one crane for lifting heavy loads, and of the kind comprising a number of outriggers intended for submerging on the seabed and on which outriggers, in submerged position on the seabed, mounting ship or platform, are carried during operations, for example, with the crane being advantageously carried out by a method where relative displacements of the level of selected positions of the deck, on a jack up mounting vessel or offshore platform, from a reference level where the tire is at rest and balance and is not loaded with tire load, is measured by the free ends of liquid filled pipes, the opposite ends of which are connected to one of the number of liquid filled pipes, corresponding to the number of manometers further equipped with their own digital transducer pressure transducers the pressure shown on the pressure gauges, which pressure gauges and pressure transducers are arranged in a row and at the same level and parallel to a nui reference pad placed symmetrically in the vertical length plane of the mounting vessel and which pressure gauges are reset to zero reference plate.

This results in an absolute measurement of vertical deviations of the tire based on changes in pressure, measured on one or more of the measuring unit's manometers and pressure transducers. In this context, it will be important to calibrate the manometers under calm conditions such that an O-reference level for all measuring points is established before the tire is loaded with load. Said measurements of even small deformations of the tire, which immediately reveal whether the tire is under torque load, allow an immediate adjustment of the tension conditions based on a knowledge of exactly where the deformations of the tire are located.

A measuring device for measuring deformations on the deck of offshore construction jack up mounting vessels and offshore platforms, comprising at least one crane for lifting heavy loads, and of the kind comprising a number of support legs intended for subsidence on the seabed and on which support legs, in the submerged position on the seabed, mounting ship or platform carried during operations, for example with the crane, for carrying out the method according to claim 1, characterized in that the device comprises at least one closed, liquid-filled tube corresponding to the number of support legs, the free ends of which are arranged in measuring points near the support legs, as well as other points of interest in connection with the deck of a jack up mounting vessel or offshore platform, and the opposite ends of which are connected to the pressure gauges of a pressure measuring station, comprising one of the number of preferred measuring points, the number of precision manometers and the associated digital / analogue pressure transducers, mounted on a console i the same level, proceeding parallel to the deck and parallel to a zero reference path symmetrically located in the vertical length plane of the mounting ship or platform, and which manometers are zero adjustable relative to the nui reference plate.

It is hereby possible, using the measuring device, to detect even very small stresses in the tire's construction, resulting in even very small deformations of the tire, as a displacement of the tire's vertical position relative to the reference level will reveal itself immediately, upon change. of the pressure displayed on the manometers and the associated pressure transducers. These measurements may be used as a basis for deciding on compensating offsets with respect to the tire, on one or more of the support legs supported on the seabed and carrying the platform or mounting ship, at a height above the sea surface, for the purpose of making the tire level, and reduce the tension in this.

It is preferred that the measuring device comprise manometers, of a quality which allows detection of a deviation from the 0 reference point of +/- 0.001 m, corresponding to detection imprints within a range between 5 mbar and 1000 mbar, typically within the range 12.5 mbar to 250 mbar. , and preferably within the range of 5mbar and 100mbar.

In order to make the measurement system reaction time to a deformation of the tire, it is convenient to use a liquid in the tubes, with a small viscosity, so it is preferred that the viscosity of the liquid at 40 ° C in the liquid filled tubes is in the range of 2 cSt. 9 cSt, typically in the range 5.5 cSt and 7 cSt, and preferably in the range 6.0 cSt and 6.8. cSt.

In order to further reduce the reaction time of the measurement system to a deformation of the tire / structure, it is preferred that the resistance numbers in the tubes used for the measurement system fluid filled tubes are in the range 0.05 ra and 0.7 ra, typically in the interval 0. , 1 ra and 0.5 ra, and preferably in the range 0.2 ra and 0.4 ra.

The compensating offsets can be performed manually by an operator monitoring the digital output of pressure gauges and pressure transducers and, based on data, the operator makes adjustments to the positions of the support legs relative to the tire. However, this manual operation can be saved if a control unit is connected in connection with the measuring device, as will appear in the following.

In order to be able to perform an automatic 3D stabilization / tension equalization in the deck, according to the invention, a device is provided for automatic 3D compensation system for the tire on offshore construction jack up mounting vessels and offshore platforms and comprising the measuring device specified in claim 2, and as further is characterized in that interface pressure transducers are connected to a first data processing unit containing a first software for recording and processing the collected data in relation to pre-set values in the data processing unit for vertical displacement of the tire, the excess of which will cause collection of data via interface from a data recording device connected to at least one inclinometer located on the nui reference plate, and in the event that the inclinometers show tapping, the data processing unit generates a signal with information on the position of the tire deformations and the size of the deformation / deformation ations (ΔΗΑ: ΔΗ3) with respect to the O reference level, which signal is transmitted via interface to another data processing unit, with another software which via interface performs control of the position of relevant support legs relative to the tire, by means of jack at the same time, that the second data processing unit at fixed intervals receives data from the first data processing unit on the level of the measurement positions, so that displacements of the tire level are brought within the predetermined threshold values in the preheat to the O reference pane, after which the adjustment of the relevant support position in the prehoid to the tire with relevant jack, set.

Hereby, the method for measuring the height differences at selected points in a tire's construction, at a reference level, and a measuring device for carrying out the method, is combined with data processing units with resident software interconnected and connected with the support legs regulators, provided an automatic 3D stabilization / stress equalization system, whereby tensions and deformations in the deck of mounting ships, and platforms, mounted on the supports, submerged and supported on the sea floor, during operation with heavy loads and cargo on the deck by one or more cranes, can be automatically offset so that no deformations of the tire occur, resulting in permanent deformations thereof, and possibly also the tire bearing structure.

The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the drawing, wherein; FIG. 1 shows a schematic top view of a tire / vessel, for example on an offshore platform, or a mounting ship, in which the measuring device according to the invention for measuring the level of the tire in different positions near the support legs is shown; 2 is a schematic side view of the one shown in FIG. 1 in the unloaded tire / vessel, corresponding to the O-reference position, where all measuring positions show the same impact on the respective manometers / pressure transducers; 3 is a schematic side view of the one shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 in the loaded position, where the tire slopes and where the impact of the pressure gauges / pressure transducers level gauges is illustrated; 4 is an example of the location of one of the free ends of the measuring tubes of the measuring device according to the invention; and FIG. 5 shows a schematic perspective view of a tire comprising the measuring device according to the invention, connected to a data processing unit which controls the displacement of the platform support legs.

FIG. 1 shows a schematic top view of a tire / vessel 2, for example on an offshore platform, or a mounting ship, in which an embodiment of the measuring device 4 according to the invention for measuring level of the tire 2 in different positions 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, near the support legs 18, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, is shown.

The measuring device 4, in the embodiment shown, comprises a plurality of fluid-filled tubes 30, 32, 34, 36, 38, 40, the free ends of which are disposed in the aforementioned positions 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, near the supporting legs 18, 20 , 22, 24, 26, 28. The free ends of the pipes are blocked with valves not shown. The other ends of the liquid-filled tubes 30, 32, 34, 36, 38, 40 are, as schematically shown in FIG. 1, associated with a precision manometer corresponding to the number of tubes with transducers, 42, 44, 46, 48, 50, 52 arranged symmetrically at the same level above or below a 0 reference plate 53 for the deck / vessel.

FIG. 2 is a schematic side view of the device shown in FIG. 1 in the unloaded position, corresponding to the 0 reference position, in which all the measuring positions 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, near the supporting legs 18, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, illustrate the same impact. at the dashed line 54 on manometers and pressure transducers 42, 44, 46, 48, 50, 52. the deck / vessel is horizontally oriented in the position shown, and the dashed line 54 is thus an expression of the 0 reference level here.

In FIG. 3 is a schematic side view of the device of FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 in the loaded position, where the tire 2 slopes and where the impact of the manometers / pressure transducers 42, 44, 46, 48, 50, 52 is illustrated by lines 56, 58, 60, 62, 64, 66 relative to the dashed line 54 marking the 0 reference level. As can be seen from the illustration, the level of the vessel / deck 2, measured on the manometers / pressure transducers 42, 44, at the measurement points 6,12 (cf. Fig. 1) is higher than the 0 reference level 54. The level of the vessel / deck 2, measured on the manometers / pressure transducers 46, 48 at the measuring points 8, 14 (cf. Fig. 1), are located approximately in the 0 reference level 54, and the level of the vessel / deck 2, measured on the pressure gauges / pressure transducers 50, 52 in the measuring points 10, 16 (cf. Fig. 1) are located below the O-reference level 54., and it is clearly seen that the tire 2 slopes.

FIG. 4 is an example of the placement of one of the free ends of the liquid-filled tubes 30, 32, 34, 36, 38, 40 in one of the positions 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, near one of the supporting legs 18, 20 , 22, 24, 26, 28, belonging to the measuring device 4 according to the invention. The 0 reference level 54 is again indicated, this time by a line 54 'extending parallel to the tire 2.

FIG. 5 shows a device 60 for automatic 3D compensation system for the deck 2 on offshore construction jack up mounting vessels and offshore platforms and comprising the measuring device 4 according to the present invention.

The pressure transducers 42, 44, 46, 48, 50, 52 are at interface 61, cf. 4 and FIG. 5, connected to a first data processing unit 62 containing a first software, for recording and processing collected data from the pressure transducers 42, 44, 46, 48, 50, 52 and comparing the collected data with respect to the data processing unit 62 entered , tire vertical level offset values of tire 2, the overrun of which will result in data collection via interface from at least one inclinometer 64 located on the nui reference plate 53, and in the event that the inclinometers 64 show impact, the data processing unit 62 generates a signal which via interface 63 is transmitted to another data processing unit 66-, with another software which via interface 68, 70, 72, 74, 76, 78 (cf. Fig. 5) controls / regulates the displacement of the support legs 42, 44, 46 , 48, 50, 52 with respect to the tire 2, - at the positions 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16 of the deformations of the tire 2, and about the magnitude of the deformation (s) (ΔΗΑ, ΔΗΒ) to the 0 reference level 54, after which the second data processing unit 66, after calculating the necessary displacement of the support legs 42, 44, 46, 48, 50, 52 relative to the tire 2, performs interface control of relevant support legs 42, 44, 48, 48, 50, 52 position relative to the tire 2 at jack 80, 82, 84, 86, 88, 90, while the second data processing unit 66 at fixed intervals receives data from the first data processing unit 62 on the level of the measuring positions 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16 such that displacements of the tire level by means of the jack 80, 82, 84, 86, 88, 90 are brought within the predetermined limit values relative to the 0 reference plane 54, whereby the position of the relevant support legs is adjusted relative to the tire set.

A prerequisite for the proper functioning of the measuring device according to the invention, as well as for the correct functioning of the automatic 3D voltage compensation system, is that the reference level 54 of the measuring system is determined before sailing out to the operating position of the platform or mounting ship.

It should be noted that the inventor has acknowledged that the number of measurement points for recording tire height changes may be greater than those stated above, and he is also aware that the residual software in the second data processing unit should contain relevant software adapted to the current vessel, platform or mounting ship's static and dynamic characteristics. However, this does not change the inventive aspect which relates to a new way of detecting even very small elevation variations on platforms and tires which can be used to preventively stabilize the tire tire being exposed to during handling of large loads thereon, for example with cranes.

Claims (6)

1, Method Ten! measuring the deformations of the deck (2) on offshore construction jack up mounting vessels and offshore platforms, comprising at least one crane for lifting heavy loads, and of the type comprising a number of support legs (18, 20, 22, 24, 26 , 28) intended for submerging on the seabed and on which support legs, in submerged position on the seabed, jack up mounting ship or offshore platform (2) are carried during operations, for example with the crane, characterized by relative displacements of the level of selected positions (6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16) of the tire (2) on a jack up mounting vessel or offshore platform, from a reference level (54) where the tire (2) is at rest and in balance and is not loaded with tire load, is measured by the free ends of liquid-filled tubes (30, 32, 34, 36, 38, 40), the opposite ends of which are connected to one of the number of liquid-filled tubes, corresponding to the number of manometers (42, 44, 46, 48, 50 , 52) which are further provided with different digital pressure transducers recording the pressure shown on the pressure gauges, which pressure gauges and pressure transducers (42, 44, 46, 48, 50, 52) are arranged in a row and at the same level and parallel to a zero reference plate (53) located symmetrically in the mounting vessel or platform. vertical transverse / bed plane and which manometers (42, 44, 48, 48, 50, 52) are reset relative to the zero reference path (53). 2. A measuring device (4) for measuring deformations on the deck (2) of offshore construction jack up mounting vessels and offshore platforms, comprising at least one crane for lifting heavy loads, and of the kind comprising a number of support legs (18, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28) intended for submerging on the seabed (71) and on which support legs, in submerged position on the seabed, jack up the mounting ship or platform (2) are carried during operations, for example with the crane, for carrying out the method according to Claim 1, characterized in that the measuring device (4) comprises at least one closed, liquid-filled tube (30, 32, 34, 36, 38, 40) corresponding to the number of support legs (18, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28). ), the first ends of which are placed in measuring positions (6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16) near the supporting legs (18, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28), as well as in other measuring points of interest in connection with the tire of a jack up mounting vessel or offshore platform and the opposite ends of which are connected to the pressure gauge pressure transducers (42, 44, 46, 48, 50, 52) in a pressure measuring station (43) comprising one of the number of preferred measuring positions (6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16), number of precision manometers with associated digital / analog pressure transducers (42 , 44, 46, 48, 50, 52), arranged on a bracket (45) at mutually the same level, extending parallel to the deck (2) and parallel to a zero reference plate (53) located symmetrically in the vertical longitudinal plane of the mounting ship or platform or transverse plane, and which manometers and pressure transducers (42, 44, 48, 48, 50, 52) are zero-adjustable relative to the nui reference plate (53). Measuring device (4) according to claim 2, characterized in that the pressure transducers (42, 44, 48, 48, 50, 52) of the pressure gauges are of a quality which allows the detection of a deviation from the 0 reference point of +/- 0.001 m. Measuring device (4) according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the viscosity of the liquid in the liquid-filled tubes (30, 32, 34, 36, 38, 40) is in the range 2 cSt and 9 cSt, typically in the range 5.5 cSt and 7 cSt, and preferably in the range 6.0 cSt and 6.8 cSt. Measuring device (4) according to any one of claims 2-4, characterized in that the resistance numbers of the liquid-filled tubes (30, 32, 34, 38, 38, 40) are in the range 0.05 ra and 0. , 7 ra, typically in the range 0.1 ra and 0.5 ra, and preferably in the range 0.2 ra and 0.4 ra. 6. Device (80) ten! automatic 3D compensation system for the deck (2) on offshore construction jack up mounting vessels and offshore platforms and comprising the measuring device (4) as specified in claim 2, characterized in that the pressure transducers (42, 44, 46, 48, 50, 52) at interface (61), cf. Fig. 4, is connected to a first data processing unit (82) containing a first software, for recording and processing collected data from the pressure transducers (42, 44, 46, 48, 50, 52) and comparing the data collected in relation to the pre-set limit values for the tire vertical displacement of the tire (2), in excess of which we exceed in the daiabe handling unit (62); cause data collection via interface (57) from a data recording unit (55) connected to at least one inclinometer (64) located on the zero reference path (S3), and in the event that the inclinometers (64) show a strike, the data processing unit (62) generates a signal indicating information about the position (6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16) of the deformations of the tire (2) and of the magnitude of the deformation / deformations (ΔΗΑ, ΔΗΒ) in relation to ten! The 0 reference level (54), which signal is transmitted via interface (63) to another data processing unit (88), with another software performing via interface (68, 70, 72, 74, 76, 78) control of relevant support pins (42) , 44, 46, 48, 50, 52) position relative to the tire (2), by means of jack (80, 82, 84, 88, 88, 90) at the same time as the second data processing unit (66) at fixed intervals , receives data from the first data processing unit (62) on the level of the mowing positions (6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16), so that displacements of the tire level are brought within the predetermined limit values relative to the 0 reference point ( 54), after which adjustment of the position of the relevant support leg relative to the tire (2), with the relevant jack, is adjusted.