EP0020267A1 - Articulated apparatus for transferring fluids - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to an articulated device for transferring fluids between a loading boom comprising at least two fluid pipes located at one location (petroleum installation) and a coupling means located at a second location (ship). The device comprises two upper connection means (3), associated with the Cardan joint and connected to said pipes of said arrow; two lower connection means (5), also associated with the Cardan joint and capable of being connected to said coupling means of the second location; two upper pipe segments (11-12) connected to said upper connection means; two lower pipe segments (13-14) connected to said lower connection means; two intermediate pipe segments (15-16) interposed between the two upper pipe segments and the two lower pipe segments, and articulated therebetween; two separate transfer lines, articulated, thus being produced from said loading arrow to said coupling means located at the second location. The invention applies in particular to the transfer of liquefied natural gas from a marine platform to a tanker.

Description

The present invention relates to a hinged device for transferring fluids from a first location to a second location, for example from an oil installation at sea to a tanker or other marine vessel.

Fluid transfer devices of the accordion type or with deformable diamonds are known.

According to one of these devices, a single broken line is used for transferring a liquid and is constituted by articulated hollow elements, while the other broken line is produced by any articulated connecting elements. The assembly is articulated respectively to a support arm and to a connector. The articulation with the carrying arm can be a universal joint, while the connector is a funnel or bell device suitable for fitting on a hollow nozzle head disposed on a ship. The operation of the articulated assembly is obtained using a cable. The assembly is completed by a hawser coming to be fixed to the connector.

It is desirable to have the possibility of using the two paths in a broken line for the transfer of a fluid or of two different fluids.

Due to two pipes to be provided in this case from the support arm to the ship, major problems arise both at the level of the upper connection and of the lower connection of the device, and at the level of the articulations between pipe segments of the two broken lines.

A transfer device is also known of the accordion or deformable diamond type in which two broken line paths are used for the transfer of fluids but the assembly is joined in an articulated manner and definitive with two coaxial terminations inseparable from their respective supports. In order to achieve a universal connection to these terminations, a composite rotating joint is provided, but no operating means (such as a cable) for deployment or retraction of the deformable diamond system is provided, since the terminations are inseparable from their supports. respective.

• - minimiser les pertes de charges ;
• - minimiser le nombre de raccords et donc les possibilités de pannnes ;
• - permettre une position repliée très compacte de la structure déformable, d'où une réduction des possibilités de chocs avec le navire.

The present invention aims to create an articulated fluid transfer device having good handling and reliability qualities, and allowing easy maintenance, while keeping the price and operating costs within acceptable limits, thanks in particular to a particular deformable structure and appropriate connection means providing, among other things, the following advantages:

• - minimize pressure losses;
• - minimize the number of fittings and therefore the possibility of breakdowns;
• - allow a very compact folded position of the deformable structure, thereby reducing the possibility of impacts with the ship.

• - deux moyens de connexion supérieurs, associés à la Cardan et reliés auxdites conduites de ladite flèche ;
• - deux moyens de connexion inférieurs, associés également à la Cardan et susceptibles d'être reliés auxdits moyens de couplages du second emplacement ;
• - deux segments de conduite supérieurs reliés auxdits moyens de connexion supérieurs ;
• - deux segments de conduite inférieurs reliés auxdits moyens de connexion inférieurs ;
• - deux segments de conduite intermédiaires intercalés entre les deux segments de conduite supérieurs et les deux segments de conduite inférieurs ;
• - une articulation reliant entre eux lesdits segments de conduite intermédiaires ;
• - au moins une articulation à genou reliant chacun desdits segments de conduite supérieurs à un desdits segments de conduite intermédiaires ;
• - au moins une articulation à genou reliant chacun desdits segments de conduite inférieurs à un desdits segments de conduite intermédiaires ;

deux lignes de transfert séparées, articulées, étant ainsi réalisées depuis ladite flèche de chargement jusqu'audit moyen de couplage situé au second emplacement.The present invention relates to a fluid transfer device comprising multiple articulated segments of accordion-type or deformable diamond-type fluid conduit, with universal upper connection means, dissociable lower connection means and cable actuation means, which device allows a transfer of fluids between a loading boom comprising at least two fluid lines located at one location and a coupling means located at a second location and is characterized in that it comprises:

• - two upper connection means, associated with the gimbal and connected to said pipes of said arrow;
• - two lower connection means, also associated with the Cardan joint and capable of being connected to said coupling means of the second location;
• - two upper pipe segments connected to said upper connection means;
• - two lower pipe segments connected to said lower connection means;
• - two intermediate pipe segments inserted between the two upper pipe segments and the two lower pipe segments;
• - an articulation connecting together said intermediate pipe segments;
• - at least one knee joint connecting each of said upper pipe segments to one of said intermediate pipe segments;
• - at least one knee joint connecting each of said lower pipe segments to one of said intermediate pipe segments;

two separate transfer lines, articulated, thus being produced from said loading arrow to said coupling means located at the second location.

• - la figure 1 est une vue de face d'une partie d'un dispositif de transfert selon l'invention, montrant également les moyens de connexion qui le relient, d'une part, à la flèche etd'autre part, au bateau-citerne ;
• - la figure 2 est une vue de côté du dispositif de la figure 1, où les moyens de connexion situés sur le bateau-citerne ne sont pas représentés ;
• - la figure 3 est une vue schématique, coupée selon la ligne III-III de la figure 1, des moyens de connexion du bateau-citerne ;
• - la figure 4 est une vue schématique, coupée selon la ligne IV-IV de la figure 2, des moyens de connexion du dispositif de transfert déformable au bateau-citerne ;
• - la figure 5 est une vue de face d'une variante de réalisation des moyens de connexion reliant le dispositif de transfert déformable et le bateau-citerne ;
• - la figure 6 est une vue schématique, coupée selon la ligne VI-VI de la figure 5, des moyens de connexion du bateau-citerne au dispositif de transfert déformable ; et
• - la figure 7 est une vue en élévation d'une autre forme de réalisation des moyens de couplage et de transfert situés au second emplacement ou bateau-citerne.

Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will emerge more clearly from the description which follows, relating to a particular embodiment of the invention shown in the attached drawings, in which:

• - Figure 1 is a front view of a part of a transfer device according to the invention, also showing the connection means which connect it, on the one hand, to the boom and, on the other hand, to the boat- cistern;
• - Figure 2 is a side view of the device of Figure 1, where the connection means located on the tanker are not shown;
• - Figure 3 is a schematic view, cut along the line III-III of Figure 1, of the means of connection of the tanker;
• - Figure 4 is a schematic view, cut along the line IV-IV of Figure 2, means for connecting the deformable transfer device to the tanker;
• - Figure 5 is a front view of an alternative embodiment of the connection means connecting the deformable transfer device and the tanker;
• - Figure 6 is a schematic view, cut along the line VI-VI of Figure 5, of the means of connection of the tanker to the deformable transfer device; and
• - Figure 7 is an elevational view of another embodiment of the coupling and transfer means located at the second location or tanker.

A deformable transfer device 1 according to the invention comprises two upper pipes 11, 12 the upper end of which is pivotally connected to the end of an arrow 2 (only sketched in broken lines in FIGS. 1 and 2 ) and more specifically to respective pipes 21, 22, carried by the latter, by means of connection means 3, two lower pipes 13, 14, the lower end of which is connected to a tanker 4 of which only an upper wall is shown in broken lines in FIG. 1 by means of connection means 5 of the deformable transfer device to the boat and of connection means 6 of the deformable transfer device, and two intermediate conduits 15, 16 interposed respectively between the lower end of each upper pipe and the upper end of the corresponding lower pipe. Each of the two assemblies consisting of an upper pipe 11, 12, an intermediate pipe 15, 16 and a lower pipe 13, 14, which connects a pipe 21, 22 of the boom to the boat, one for the transfer of liquefied natural gas, the other for the return of steam, is constituted in the form of a broken hinged line placed opposite each other as shown in Figure 1; these two sets are not in the same plane, but in planes arranged in parallel, and are placed so as to constitute, seen from the front, two articulated diamonds of which two respective angles are opposite by the vertex, this vertex being in the middle of the conduits intermediate 15, 16, which are secured at this location by a hinge, for example a ball joint 17; so both diamonds formed, arranged one above the other, remain equal to each other in all positions of the deformable transfer device. The tower or the vertical carrying device which is mounted by its base on a platform forming part of the installation at sea is not shown, and it has been seen that the same is true of most of the boom, in particular of its end pivotally attached to the top of the carrier device; a support and actuation device with cables is also provided, cooperating with a tensioning device, the characteristics of which will be explained below; a securing device is used to secure the deformable transfer device to the boom.

Each intermediate pipe is connected by its respective ends on the one hand to an upper pipe and on the other hand to a lower pipe, by means of articulations 18, which can be of single knee, each provided with a rotating joint and at minus a fixing with fixed flanges whose respective axes are perpendicular or orthogonal, or, as shown in the drawings, of the "double knee" type, - each provided with a pair of rotary joints 181 whose respective axes are in the extension l 'one of the other and fixings with fixed flanges 182 whose respective axes are also in the extension of one another and parallel to the first; whereas with simple knee joints, it is easier to produce each of the two assemblies consisting of an upper pipe, an intermediate pipe and a lower pipe in the form of a broken line, the three segments of which are in two (or three) parallel planes, with double knee joints, it is easy to make a broken line whose three segments are in the same plane.

The connection means 3 of the deformable transfer device to the lines 21, 22 of the boom comprise on each line a single knee 31 to allow extensions and retractions of the arm, with a pair of cryogenic rotary joints 311, 312 having their axes perpendicular so as to make a coupling of the "cardan" type.

The connection means 5 of the deformable transfer device with the boat may have an axial rotary joint; however, this is not essential and here they comprise two independent lines each provided with a knee 51 to allow extensions and retractions of the arm, with rotary joints 511, 512 having their axes perpendicular so as to also carry out a coupling of the gimbal type, a safety valve 513, a hemispherical ball valve 514, and locking members 515; the connection means 5 also comprise a central locking head 516, connected here to the two lines by flanges; the safety valves 513 and the locking head 516 are provided on the one hand with shutters and on the other hand with quick disconnection members 517 represented symbolically, so that in case of emergency disconnection, the lower part of these valves and the locking head remain on the ship, the jet being moreover blocked by its own weight or if necessary by spring devices provided respectively on the two parts of these valves and of the locking head which are to be disconnected , so that the shutters are then automatically pushed into their closed position.

The connection means 6 of the boat to the transfer device can take different forms. In FIG. 1, the connection between the deformable transfer device and the tank is carried out by means of a single pipe 61, with a rotary joint 611 of the bi-product connection type, allowing the passage of liquefied natural gas and steam in circuits isolated from one another, for example concentric; it is also possible to provide, as in FIGS. 5 and 6, two lines 62, 63 each comprising three rotary joints such as the joints 621, 622, 623 of line 62, of vertical axis, forming an articulated connection around a central pipe 64 equipped with a rotary joint 641 and connected to the two lines by flanges.

In both cases, the central pipe allows the passage of a supply cable connected to the lower part of the deformable transfer device and used to bring it into the working position, and comprises locking members 65 for the head. locking 516 which is fixed at this location when the connection phase is completed; in both cases also, the connection means 6 also comprise, in their region where they are locked to the connection means 5, a hemispherical ball valve 624.

The support and actuation device comprises two cables 71, permanently on the structure; these two cables, connected to the tensioning device 72 via pulleys 72A arranged at the top of the arm, are attached to the lower part of the deformable transfer device.

The tensioning device is designed so that on the one hand the arm has an equilibrium position just above the zone of maximum movements encountered during loading, and on the other hand it rises to its equilibrium position. without oscillation when disconnected at the end of loading, and also that in all cases of normal or emergency disconnection, its upward acceleration is greater than the acceleration of the ship; the folded position of the deformable transfer device is shown in long dashed lines in FIG. 1.

The securing device is designed such that, from its equilibrium position, the deformable transfer device is secured to the boom by means of claws which lift it and support it in its securing position.

The articulated transfer device according to the invention, which can be fitted with members intended for cryogenic type operation, in particular cryogenic rotary joints, allows rapid connection and disconnection with the tanker, under good conditions of balance and safety, thanks to its double diamond arrangement in pantograph operated by cables connected to a tensioning device designed to respond to extremely severe requirements, a number of components located at the bottom of the device being liable to remain attached to the tanker in the event of an emergency disconnection.

We have seen that in the embodiment shown in Figure 1 the coupling and transfer means between the deformable transfer device and the tank are made using a single pipe (61) with rotating joint (611) of the bi-product connection type, allowing the passage of liquefied natural gas and steam in circuits isolated from one another, for example concentric.

In the embodiment shown in Figures 5 and 6, two dog legs (62, 63) each having three rotations, such that the rotary joints (621, 622, 623) of the leg (62) each form a transfer line articulated around a central mast, couplers at the ends of the dog legs coming to couple at the ends of the deformable transfer device.

According to another embodiment of the coupling and transfer means provided at the second location or vessel, shown in FIG. 7, each transfer line or dog leg with three rotations of these coupling and transfer means further comprises, two other rotations with a horizontal axis, the combination of the five rotations allowing vertical movement of the couplers and a final connection at the ends of the arm. Each dog leg (62 or 63) therefore shows two other rotations (A and B) in addition to the three rotations (621 - 622 - 623) for the leg (62) and (631 - 632 - 633) for the leg (63 ).

The rotation (A) is arranged between the coupler (C) and the rotation (621) or (631) depending on whether it is the leg (62) or the leg (63).

The rotation (B) is arranged between the rotations (622 and 623) for the leg (62) and between the rotations (632 and 633) for the leg (63).

The elbow (8) connecting the coupler (C) to the rotation (A) is pivotally mounted at the end of a console (82) carried by a sleeve (821) for the leg (62) and at the end of a console (83) carried by another sleeve (831) for the leg (63).

The sleeves (821) and (831) are arranged one above the other and are capable of sliding on the mast (M).

The pivoting takes place along a general axis (X-X) passing through the center of the rotations or rotary joints (A) and using jacks (VI) advantageously supported on the rotations (621) and (631).

Other cylinders (V2) are provided to obtain a vertical translation of the sleeves (821) and (831) along the mast (M).

Another cylinder (V3) is provided to obtain a rotation on itself of the mast (M) around the axis (Z-Z).

The rotation (A) with horizontal axis (X-X) gives the means of tilting the coupler during the connection phase which avoids possible shocks.

The rotation (B), also with a horizontal axis (Y-Y), ensures, when combined with the rotation (A) and the three rotations forming the dog leg, a vertical movement of the coupler. This allows more reasonable manufacturing tolerances, since the assembly is not hyperstatic. In addition, the dog legs are not subject to mechanical forces due to a differential contraction between the dog legs and the locking mast (M) the latter remaining at room temperature when the dog legs cool.

• - le bras est positionné et verrouillé par rapport au bateau au moyen du timon (T) et du mât (M). Les coupleurs (C) sont en position basse ;
• - les jambes de chien sont pivotées à l'aide du vérin (V3) autour de l'axe (Z-Z) du timon de façon à amener les coupleurs (C) en face des extrémités (E) du bras ;
• - les coupleurs (C) sont amenés en position haute par la rotation (A) à l'aide des vérins (V1) ;
• - les coupleurs (C) sont amenés en position de connexion finale par translation verticale, opérée au moyen des vérins (V2) et rendue possible par la combinaison des cinq rotations de chaque jambe de chien.

The combination of the five rotations of each dog leg allows the following operation:

• - the arm is positioned and locked relative to the boat by means of the drawbar (T) and the mast (M). The couplers (C) are in the low position;
• - the dog legs are pivoted using the jack (V3) around the axis (ZZ) of the drawbar so as to bring the couplers (C) opposite the ends (E) of the arm;
• - the couplers (C) are brought to the high position by rotation (A) using cylinders (V1);
• - the couplers (C) are brought into the final connection position by vertical translation, operated by means of the jacks (V2) and made possible by the combination of the five rotations of each dog leg.

It is understood that the present invention has only been described and shown by way of example and that it is possible to provide equivalences in its constituent elements without, however, departing from the scope of said invention which is defined in the claims that follow.

Claims (18)

1. Fluid transfer device comprising multiple articulated segments of accordion-type or deformable diamond-type fluid conduit, with universal upper connection means, dissociable lower connection means and cable actuation means, which device allows transfer of fluids between a loading boom comprising at least two fluid lines located at one location and a coupling means located at a second location and is characterized in that it comprises: - two upper connection means (3), associated with the gimbal and connected to said pipes of said arrow; - two lower connection means (5), also associated with the gimbal and capable of being connected to said coupling means of the second location; - two upper pipe segments (11-12) connected to said upper connection means; - two lower pipe segments (13-14) connected to said lower connection means; - two intermediate pipe segments (15-16) interposed between the two upper pipe segments and the two lower pipe segments; - an articulation connecting together said intermediate pipe segments; - at least one knee joint (18) connecting each of said upper pipe segments (11-12) to one of said intermediate pipe segments (15-16); - at least one knee joint (18) connecting each of said lower pipe segments (13-14) to one of said intermediate pipe segments (15-16); two separate transfer lines, articulated, thus being produced from said loading arrow to said coupling means located at the second location. 2. Transfer device according to claim 1, characterized in that said knee joints (18) each comprise at least one knee provided with at least one rotating joint (181) and a fixing with fixed flanges (182). 3. Transfer device according to claim 2, characterized in that said joints are single knee, each of the assemblies consisting of an upper pipe, an intermediate pipe and a lower pipe being formed in the form of a broken line whose three segments are in at least two parallel planes. 4. Transfer device according to claim 2, characterized in that said joints are double knee, each provided with a pair of rotary joints (181) and fixings with fixed flanges (182), each of the assemblies consisting of a upper pipe, an intermediate pipe and a lower pipe consisting of a broken line, the three segments of which are in the same plane. 5. Transfer device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the connection means (3) of said device with the lines of the boom comprise on each line a single knee (31) to allow extensions and arm retractions, with a pair of rotary joints (311-312) having their respective axes perpendicular so as to produce a coupling of the "cardan" type. 6. Transfer device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the connection means (5) of said device with said coupling means located at the second location comprise two lines each provided with a knee (51) to allow extensions and retractions of the arm, with rotating joints (511-512) having their axes perpendicular so as to achieve a coupling of the gimbal type. 7. Transfer device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the connection means (5) of said device with said coupling means located at the second location comprise at least one line provided with a safety valve (513), a ball valve (514), and locking members (515). 8. Transfer device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the coupling means located at the second location comprises an axial rotary joint (611) (641). 9. Transfer device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the coupling means located at the second location comprises two coaxial transfer lines. 10. Transfer device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the coupling means located at the second location comprises two lines or legs (62) (63) each comprising three rotary joints (621) (622) (623). 11. Transfer device according to any one of claims 1 to 8 and 10, characterized in that each transfer line or dog leg with three rotations of the coupling and transfer means provided in the second location comprises, in addition, two other rotations with horizontal axis (A and B), the combination of the five rotations allowing a vertical movement of the couplers and a final connection at the ends of the arm. 12. Transfer device according to claim 11, characterized in that the elbow (8) connecting the coupler (c) to the first rotation (A) of each leg is pivotally mounted at the end of a console (82, 83) carried by a sliding sleeve (821, 831). 13. Transfer device according to claim 12, characterized in that the sleeves are arranged one above the other and are capable of sliding on the central mast (M). 14. Transfer device according to any one of claims 11 to 13, characterized in that jacks (V1) produce the pivoting of the elbows. 15. Transfer device according to claim 14, characterized in that each of said jacks (V1) bears on the rotation (621, 631) which immediately follows the first additional rotation (A) of each leg. 16. Transfer device according to any one of claims 11 to 14, characterized in that jacks (V2) are provided to obtain a vertical translation of the sleeves (821, 831) along the mast (M). 17. Transfer device according to any one of claims 11 to 16, characterized in that a jack (V3) is provided to obtain a rotation of the mast on itself. 18. Transfer device according to any one of claims 1 to 17, characterized in that it comprises a tensioning device enabling it to have an equilibrium position just above the zone of maximum movements encountered during loading. , and in that it rises to its equilibrium position without oscillation when it is disconnected at the end of loading.

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