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AssigneeDEME Offshore BE NV
InventorsDieter Wim Jan RABAUT, Jeroen VAN LOON
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Described is a device for lifting an object from a deck of a vessel subject to movements in a heave direction. The device comprises a support surface (6a) for the object provided at a first height (11) in the heave direction relative to the deck. A lifting crane (5) is configured to take up the object from the support surface (6a) at a lifting point thereof at a lifting speed. An actuator system (16) is configured to lower the support surface (6a) relative to the deck at the instant in time at which the object is lifted from the surface to a second height in the heave direction at a lowering speed. A method using the device is also described.
Device for lifting an object from a deck of a vessel subject to movements in a heave direction, the device comprising:
Device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the support surface is connected to the deck such as to substantially prevent its movement relative to the deck in the sway and surge directions of the vessel.
Device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first height of the support surface is above deck.
Device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the second height of the support surface is above deck.
Device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the lifting crane has a maximum lifting speed, and the actuator system is configured to lower the surface at a lowering speed larger than 10% of the maximum lifting speed, more preferably larger than 25% of the maximum lifting speed, and even more preferably larger than 50% of the maximum lifting speed.
Device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the actuator system is configured to lower the surface at a lowering acceleration substantially equal to the gravitational acceleration.
Device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the actuator system comprises distance-varying means provided between the support surface and a base surface, and configured to vary the distance in the heave direction between the support surface and the base surface.
Device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein components of the actuator system are interlinked by a hydraulic system comprising a pump and/or accumulator.
Device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the vessel is a floating vessel and the lifting crane is operated from a second distinct vessel, wherein the second vessel is a floating vessel, comprising a dynamic positioning (DP) or mooring system, or the second vessel is a jack-up platform.
Device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the object comprises a foundation element of a wind turbine.
Method for lifting an object from a deck of a vessel subject to movements in a heave direction, the method comprising:
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.