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US 6,659,703 B1Granted
Stabilized ship-borne access apparatus and control method for the same
AssigneeOceantech PLC
InventorDavid Kirkley
Life of this patent
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AssigneeOceantech PLC
InventorDavid Kirkley
Estimating the term…
An apparatus for use on a vessel and for gaining access to a fixed structure such as a marine platform. As shown a supply vessel (1) has located on the deck (2) a mounting (3) which is connected by a gimbal arrangement (30) to a support arm (4) carrying a boom assembly (5) with a capsule (6) for personnel. The arm (4), boom (5) and capsule (6) are controlled in position by hydraulic means (9, 31, 33, 36, 40, 41, 52) to be manoeuvred into a required position to transfer personnel to the platform or decking (7) for example. In order to stabilise the position of the capsule (6) relative to the platform (7) the hydraulic means (9, 31, 33, 36, 40, 41, 52) is dynamically controlled to compensate for movement of the vessel (1) such that the capsule (6) will remain substantially in the selected spatial position relative to the platform (7). The capsule (6) may include a control system which enables an operator to statically position the capsule (6) through control of the overall systems. The mounting (3) on the deck (2) of a vessel (1) carries a gimbal structure (30) which supports the arm (4). The gimbal structure (30) is controlled in attitude by a series of rams (31). The arm (4) is mounted on the gimbal structure (30) to pivot about a transverse axis (43) and controlled by rams (40 and 41). The rams (40 and 41) thus control the tuffling of the arm (4). The arm (4) supports the boom (5) which may pivot around a transverse axis (50) controlled by a boom operating ram (52).
An apparatus for providing access between a moving structure and a fixed structure, the apparatus comprising a base with a fixed part to be mounted, when in use, on the moving structure and an articulated part for controlled movement in three mutually perpendicular planes or directions relative to the fixed part of the base, a support arm assembly mounted at one end on the articulated part of the base for luffing and reach movement, a carrier mounted on the other end of the support arm, first drive means for control of the movement of the support arm assembly and the articulated part of the base to spatially position the carrier to a selected location relative to the fixed structure and second drive means to effect adjustment of the articulated part of the base and the support arm assembly relative to the moving structure to maintain the spatial position of the carrier at the selected location.
An apparatus for use on a floating vessel and for gaining access to a fixed structure, the apparatus comprising a fixed vessel deck mounting base which supports through a three axes gimballed arrangement and a pivot assembly, a support arm carrying an articulated boom assembly with a capsule or platform for personnel or equipment, the base, arm, boom and capsule being controlled in position by hydraulic drive means, so as to be manoeuvrable into a required static position relative to the fixed structure, the position of the capsule or platform relative to the vessel deck being stabilized, using the drive means, and dynamically controlled to compensate for movement of the vessel such that the capsule or platform remains substantially in the selected spatial position relative to the fixed structure.
A method for providing access between a moving structure and a fixed structure, using a base assembly mounted on the moving structure and with controlled movement in or about three mutually perpendicular planes or axes, a support arm assembly articulated on the base assembly for luffing and reach movement, and a carrier mounted on the other end of the support arm, the method using a first drive means for control of the movement of the base assembly and the support arm assembly to spatially position the carrier to a selected location relative to a fixed structure and second drive means to superimpose movement on the first drive means to effect adjustment of the base and the support arm assembly relative to the moving structure to maintain the selected spatial position of the carrier.
A method for providing access between a moving structure and a fixed structure comprising
An apparatus for providing access between a moving structure and a fixed structure comprising a fixed part mounted on the moving structure;
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.