# US 12,760,484 B2 · Apparatus for servicing a structure > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 12,760,484 B2 - Document ID: US12760484B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 17/315,024 - Filed: 2021-05-07 - Published: 2021-08-26 - Granted: 2026-10-13 - Earliest claimed: 2018-11-09 - Assignees: RotoTech Pte Ltd. - Applicants: RotoTech Pte Ltd. - Inventors: Simon Hartog; Andries Vos; Peter Kleine; Michael Westerbrink; Stuart Kendall - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12760484B2 ## CPC - E02B 17/0034: {Maintenance, repair or inspection of offshore constructions} - B08B 9/023: Cleaning the external surfaces {(B08B9/021 takes precedence)} - E02B: HYDRAULIC ENGINEERING (ship-lifting E02C; dredging E02F) - B08B: CLEANING IN GENERAL; PREVENTION OF FOULING IN GENERAL ## Abstract Apparatus for servicing a structure comprises a frame for assembly around the structure, the frame having least one pair of first and second arms pivotally attached at proximal ends thereof to the frame and carrying respective rotating members arranged to contact the structure and driveable to move the frame along the structure. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An apparatus for servicing a structure, comprising: a frame for assembly or arrangement around the structure, the frame including upper and lower supports provided at axial ends of the frame and a middle support provided between said opposite ends of the frame, said upper, middle and lower supports connected together by a plurality of vertically extending struts to form a generally cylindrical frame; a plurality of pairs of first and second arms pivotally attached at proximal ends thereof to the middle support; and a plurality of pairs of first and second rotating members, attached to distal ends of the respective first and second arms, for contact with the structure; the first and second arms extending in axially opposite directions and being pivotable so as to move the corresponding first and second rotating members towards or away from the structure; wherein at least one of the first and second arms is arranged to move and pass between a pair of adjacent ones of the plurality of vertically extending struts such that the corresponding first or second rotating member is able to contact the structure; wherein the first and/or second arms are drivable so as to pivot towards and away from the structure and bring the respective rotating member respectively into and out of contact with the structure; wherein each of the rotating members that contact the structure is arranged on a respective one of said plurality of pivotable arms; and wherein the upper support extends beyond the first arm such that the corresponding first rotating member contacts the structure at a position between the upper support and middle support; and wherein the plurality of said pairs of first and second arms and first and second rotating members are circumferentially spaced around the middle support. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, including hydraulic cylinders for driving the first and/or second arms. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the frame comprises a plurality of frame segments arranged to be assembled around the structure. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The apparatus of claim 3, wherein an adjacent pair of the frame segments are hingedly connected together. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, including one or more connectors for removably connecting the apparatus to one or more modules for servicing the structure. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The apparatus of claim 5, including said one or more modules, the or each said module comprising: a module frame for assembly or arrangement around the structure, the module frame including at least one support. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the or each said module includes a slave controller connected or connectable to a master controller. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, including one or more carriages arranged for circumferential movement at or near either or both axial ends of the frame, the carriage carrying, or being arranged to carry, one or more tools for servicing the structure. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the carriage is drivable circumferentially relative to the frame. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The apparatus of claim 9, including a track arranged circumferentially around the frame, the carriage having a drive member that engages the track and is drivable so as to move the carriage around the track. ### Claim 11 (depends on 8) The apparatus of claim 8, including a guide rail for guiding the carriage circumferentially, the guide rail being attached to the upper or lower support. ### Claim 12 (depends on 8) The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the tool is drivable relative to the carriage. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the structure is a tapered structure and the arrangement of rotating members that contact the tapered structure on a respective one of said plurality of pivotable arms facilitates servicing of the tapered structure. ### Claim 14 An apparatus for servicing a structure, comprising: a frame for assembly or arrangement around the structure, the frame including first and second supports at axially opposite ends thereof, said first and second supports connected together by a plurality of vertically extending struts to form a generally cylindrical frame; a plurality of pivotable arms including at least one pair of first and second arms pivotally attached at proximal ends thereof to the first support; at least one pair of first and second rotating members, attached to distal ends of the respective first and second arms, for contact with the structure, wherein the second arm is arranged to move and pass between a pair of adjacent ones of the plurality of vertically extending struts and also move and pass between the first and second supports such that the corresponding second rotating member is able to contact the structure; the first and second arms extending in axially opposite directions and being pivotable so as simultaneously to move the corresponding first and second rotating members towards or away from the structure; and a carriage arranged for circumferential movement wherein the carriage is mounted at or near the second support and is not mounted at or near the first support, the carriage carrying, or being arranged to carry, one or more tools for servicing the structure, wherein each of the rotating members that contact the structure is arranged on a respective one of said plurality of pivotable arms, and wherein the first arm from the at least one pair of first and second arms extends from the first support in an axial direction away from the second support, and the second arm from the at least one pair of first and second arms extends from the first support in an axial direction towards the second support. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The apparatus of claim 14, including a plurality of said pairs of first and second arms and first and second rotating members, circumferentially spaced around the first support. ### Claim 16 (depends on 14) The apparatus of claim 14, including a track arranged circumferentially around the frame, the carriage having a drive member that engages the track and is drivable so as to move the carriage around the track. ### Claim 17 (depends on 14) The apparatus of claim 14, including a guide rail for guiding the carriage circumferentially, the guide rail being attached to the second support. ### Claim 18 (depends on 14) The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the structure is a tapered structure and the arrangement of rotating members that contact the tapered structure on a respective one of said plurality of pivotable arms facilitates servicing of the tapered structure.