NL2035891B1

NL2035891B1 - A base platform, a gangway and a vessel

Info

Publication number: NL2035891B1
Application number: NL2035891A
Authority: NL
Inventors: Remmert Hendrik Kloppenburg Wouter; Van Der Tempel Jan; Pieter Tol Jeroen
Original assignee: Ampelmann Holding B V
Priority date: 2023-09-26
Filing date: 2023-09-26
Publication date: 2025-04-01

Abstract

Title: A base platform, a gangway and a vessel Abstract A base platform for an unmanned aerial vehicle transporting loads between an offshore construction and a vessel. The base platform comprises a supporting layer for supporting the unmanned aerial vehicle. Further, the base platform comprising a bearing structure bearing the supporting layer. The bearing structure may be mounted on a vessel via a motion compensated structure. Figure 2

Description

P135757NL00

Title: A base platform, a gangway and a vessel

The invention relates to a base platform.

Telescopic gangways are generally know, e.g. in a motion compensated gangway comprising a movable transition deck and a telescopic gangway connected to the transition deck. The telescopic gangway typically has a tip that may be held, during operation of the motion compensated gangway, in close proximity of an object such as an offshore construction to or from loads and/or persons can be transferred. The movable transition deck is mounted on a vessel, and may be provided with actuators, e.g. hydraulic cylinders, to compensate for relative motion between the base or vessel and an object to or from which the loads and/or persons can be transferred. Said relative motion may for example result from waves or rolling, pitching, and/or yawing motion of a vessel or boat floating on the water.

A telescopic gangway comprises a first and second gangway part, for example a telescoping and main boom, which are telescopable with respect to each other in a longitudinal direction to adjust a longitudinal length of the telescopic gangway. Within the context of this application the term telescopable is meant to be construed as being movable, such as being able to move in and out of each other and/or with respect to each other along said longitudinal direction.

Also for the purpose of performing maintenance activities on offshore constructions such as wind turbine generators, a vessel provided with a motion compensated gangway can be used for transferring loads to the offshore constructions. In practice, it sometime occurs that some loads are not transferred to the offshore constructions, e.g. if relatively small goods are lost or simply forgotten. Then, the vessel may have to return to the offshore construction for transferring a relatively small amount of goods, e.g. a single packet. Apparently, such return of vessels is time and cost consuming, not contributing to an efficient process of performing maintenance activities to the offshore construction.

It is an object of the invention to provide a structure enabling a cost efficient process of transferring loads between a vessel and an offshore construction.

Thereto, according to an aspect of the invention, a base platform is provided for an unmanned aerial vehicle transporting loads between an offshore construction and a vessel, the base platform comprising a supporting layer for supporting the unmanned aerial vehicle and a bearing structure bearing the supporting layer.

By providing a base platform for an unmanned aerial vehicle transporting loads between an offshore construction and a vessel, an elegant and cost efficient process is enabled for the transfer of goods.

Unmanned aerial vehicles may travel from and towards the base platform also if the vessel has sailed some distance away from the offshore construction. Also, the unmanned aerial vehicle may transport goods to a multiple number of offshore constructions. Further, a multiple number of unmanned aerial vehicles may use a base platform on a particular vessel, thereby further improving the cost efficient process of transferring goods.

As an example, unmanned aerial vehicles may transport up to e.g. circa 30 kg, circa 40 kg, circa 50 kg, circa 100 kg or even heavier loads such as circa 200 kg.

Examples of offshore constructions are wind turbine generators, oil platforms or other vessels. Then, also inter vessel transport can be facilitated with the base platform for an unmanned aerial vehicle.

The invention is at least partially based on the insight that some offshore constructions such as oil platforms may be provided with a landing platform such as a cargo transfer deck for helicopters. Such landing platform may equally be used for landing and taking off unmanned aerial vehicles. Further, wind turbine generators may be provided with a cargo deck for receiving loads. Then, in principle, loads can be transported to offshore constructions e.g. by landing a drone or lowering the loads using a winch mechanism provided on the drone. In a similar manner, loads can be picked up by a drone. By providing the base platform on a vessel, the transfer of loads via unmanned aerial vehicles towards and from an offshore construction can in principle be realized.

Preferably, the bearing structure of the base platform is mounted on a vessel, in particular via a motion compensated structure to realize a relatively stable base platform also during relatively high seas, to minimize flight accidents. The motion compensated structure can be formed as a gangway such as telescopic gangway. Then, the base platform may be attached to a module of the gangway, e.g. as an add-on on a movable transition deck mounted on the vessel. Alternatively, the motion compensated structure may be formed by a dedicated structure e.g. for realizing a stand-alone base platform on the vessel.

Advantageously, the base platform comprises a fence element extending offset above a perimeter rim of the supporting layer to counteract that the unmanned aerial vehicle may slip from the supporting layer.

Also, the base platform may be provided with a tilting mechanism for tilting the supporting layer relative to a mainly horizontal axis to switch between an operational mainly horizontal state and a non-operational tilted, more compact state.

The bearing structure of the base platform may include a damping element for absorbing mechanical vibrations of the supporting layer to further stabilize conditions of the supporting layer, especially during taking off and landing.

Preferably, the base platform 1s provided with an optical or radio beacon for navigating the unmanned aerial vehicle, especially for autonomous navigating.

The invention also relates to a gangway, in particular a telescopic gangway, and a vessel.

The invention will be further elucidated on the basis of exemplary embodiments which are represented in the drawings. The exemplary embodiments are given by way of non-limitative illustration of the invention. In the drawings:

Fig. 1 shows a schematic perspective view of a vessel provided with a telescopic gangway according to the invention;

Fig. 2 shows a schematic perspective view of a base platform attached to the telescopic gangway shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 shows a schematic top view of the base platform of Fig. 2, and

Fig. 4 shows a schematic side view of the base platform of Fig. 2.

In the figures identical or corresponding parts are represented with the same reference numerals. The drawings are only schematic representations of embodiments of the invention, which are given by manner of non-limited examples.

Figure 1 shows a schematic perspective view of a vessel 40 provided with a motion compensated telescopic gangway 41 according to the invention. Generally, a motion compensated gangway 41 comprises a movable transition deck 42 and a telescopic boom unit 43, 44 connected to the transition deck 42. The movable transition deck 42 is mounted to the vessel. The telescopic boom unit comprises a main boom 43 and a telescoping boom 44 that is telescopable with respect to the main boom 43 in a longitudinal direction L to adjust a longitudinal length of the telescopic gangway 41. The main and telescoping boom 43, 44 each have a walkboard or walkplank 43a, 44a to facilitate transfer of loads and/or persons. A base platform 20 is attached to the telescopic gangway 41, as described in more detail referring to Fig. 2-4.

Within the context of this application the term telescopable is meant to be construed as being movable, such as being able to move in and out of each other and/or with respect to each other along said longitudinal direction L. 5 The movable transition deck 42 further has actuators 45, e.g. hydraulic cylinders or electric actuators such as a hexapod, to compensate for relative motion between the vessel 40 and an object 46 such as an offshore structure e.g. a wind turbine generator or another vessel to or from which the loads and/or persons can be transferred. Said relative motion may for example result from waves or rolling, pitching, and/or yawing motion of the vessel 40 or boat floating on the water 47. In principle, the actuators 45 and/or the telescoping boom 44 may contribute in the motion compensation.

Motion compensated gangways per se, such as for compensating for vessel motions when transferring loads and/or persons are known in the art.

For example from the Ampelmann® system as disclosed in general in

NL1027103, or systems disclosed in WO2012/138227 and WO2013/10564.

Patent publication NL1027103 discloses a vessel with a Stewart type construction for compensating motions of a ship. The construction comprises a transition deck, borne on six hydraulic cylinders, and motion sensors. During use, with the aid of the sensors, the motions of the vessel are measured. With the aid of these measurements, the orientation and/or position of the cylinders is driven continuously so that the transition deck remains approximately stationary relative to the fixed world. A luffing gangway is connected to the transition deck. In this manner, motions of the vessel are compensated and for instance people or loads can be transferred from the vessel onto a stationary offshore construction, or vice versa.

Figure 2 shows a schematic perspective view of a base platform 20 attached to the telescopic gangway 41 shown in Fig. 1.

The base platform 20 is arranged for taking off and landing an unmanned aerial vehicle or UAV 21 transporting loads between a vessel and an offshore construction such as a wind turbine generator or another vessel.

The shown base platform 20 is associated with a vessel carrying the loads to be transferred from the vessel to the offshore construction or vice versa.

Then, UAV's may travel between the base platform 20 on the vessel 40 and an offshore structure 46 such as a wind turbine generator, in particular a platform on the nacelle of a wind turbine generator, such as a cargo transfer deck on the wind turbine generator.

The base platform 20 comprises a supporting layer 22 for supporting the unmanned aerial vehicle or drone 21. The base platform also comprises a bearing structure 23 bearing the supporting layer 22. As described below, the bearing structure 23 is mounted on the vessel, via a motion compensated structure. In the shown embodiment, the motion compensated structure is a telescopic gangway 24. In this respect it is noted that, in principle, the motion compensated structure may also be implemented as a gangway having a single boom only with a single walkboard. Further, the bearing structure 23 may be mounted on the vessel in another manner, e.g. directly on the vessel e.g. in a rigid or motion compensated manner or on another module mounted on the vessel e.g. on a hoisting module. The base platform may be constructed separate from any other module such as a gangway or hoisting module mounted on the vessel.

The bearing structure of the base platform may itself be provided with actuators, e.g. hydraulic cylinders or electric actuators such as a hexapod, to compensate for relative motion between the vessel and the offshore structure, thus realizing a base platform being a stand-alone module mounted directly on the vessel.

As described above referring to Fig. 1, the telescopic gangway 24 comprises a movable transition deck 25 mounted to the vessel, and a gangway module connected to the movable transition deck 25. In the shown embodiment, the bearing structure 23 of the base platform 20 is attached to the movable transition deck 25, as an add-on. In the embodiment shown in

Fig. 2, the bearing structure 23 is mounted to a fence structure 26 near a perimeter 27 of the transition deck 25. It is noted that the base platform 20 may be attached to the gangway 24 at another location, e.g. at the telescoping boom 44, such as at the free end thereof, or at the main boom 43.

The base platform 20 is provided with a fence element 28 extending offset above a perimeter rim 29 of the supporting layer 22. The fence element 28 can be implemented e.g. as a rigid fence module. Alternatively or additionally, the fence element 28 may include a pre-tensioned rope or net so as to counteract that the unmanned aerial vehicle 22 drops from the supporting layer 22. The fence element 28 may surround the supporting layer 22 partially or completely. As an example, the fence element 28 may keep open a side of the supporting layer 22 facing towards the transition deck 25. It is noted that the fence element 28 may extend adjacent the perimeter rim 29 of the supporting layer 22 in another manner, e.g. mamly at the same level as the supporting layer 22 or slightly below said level, extending mainly horizontally away from the perimeter rim 29.

Figure 3 shows a schematic top view of the base platform 20 shown in Fig. 2, while Figure 4 shows a schematic side view of the base platform 20 of Fig. 2. As specifically shown in Fig. 4, the shown base platform 20 further comprises a tilting mechanism for tilting the supporting layer 22 relative to a mainly horizontal axis A. In the shown embodiment, the supporting layer 22 may be tilted relative to the mainly horizontal axis A, along a tilting direction T, from a mainly horizontal state wherein the supporting layer 22 mainly extends in a horizontal plane H towards a mainly vertical state wherein the supporting layer 22 mainly extends in a vertical plane V. In the mainly horizontal state the base platform 20 may operationally serve as a platform for taking off and landing an UAV, while in the mainly vertical state the base platform 20 may be in a non-operational storage state.

It is noted that the base platform 20 may be provided, as an alternative, in a stationary position relative to the transition deck 25, e.g. in a fixed or releasable manner, preferably such that the supporting layer 22 extends in a mainly horizontal plane H.

The bearing structure 23 may include a damping element 31 for absorbing mechanical vibrations of the supporting layer 22 so as to stabilize movements of the supporting layer 22, as shown in Fig. 4.

Further, the shown base platform 20 includes an optical or radio beacon for navigating the UAV, preferably for autonomously navigating the

UAYV towards the base platform 20.

Various variations are possible.

It will be clear to the skilled person that the invention is not limited to the exemplary embodiment represented here. Many variations are possible.

In this respect it is noted that the base platform for an unmanned aerial vehicle transporting loads between an offshore construction and a vessel, the base platform comprising a supporting layer for supporting the unmanned aerial vehicle and a bearing structure bearing the supporting layer, can not only be applied such that the bearing structure is mounted on a vessel via a motion compensated gangway, as an add-on as described above, but also via another motion compensated structure, e.g. as a stand- alone base platform on the vessel. Then, the bearing structure of the base platform may be provided with actuators, e.g. hydraulic cylinders or electric actuators such as a hexapod, to compensate for relative motion between the vessel and the offshore structure.

Such variations shall be clear to the skilled person and are considered to fall within the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Claims

Conclusions

1. Base platform for an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) transporting loads between an offshore structure and a ship, the base platform comprising a support layer for supporting the unmanned aerial vehicle and a support structure carrying the support layer.

2. Base platform according to claim 1, wherein the support structure is attached to a ship, in particular via a motion-compensated structure.

3. Base platform according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the motion-compensated structure is a gangway, in particular a telescopic gangway.

4. The base platform of claim 3, wherein the gangway comprises a movable transition deck attached to the vessel, and a gangway module connected to the movable transition deck, the support structure of the base platform being attached to the movable transition deck.

5. A base platform as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the base platform is a stand-alone module directly attached to the vessel.

6. A base platform as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the base platform further comprises a fencing element extending adjacent a peripheral edge of the support layer.

7. A base platform according to any preceding claim, wherein the base platform further comprises a tilting mechanism for tilting the support layer relative to a substantially horizontal axis.

8. Base platform according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the support structure comprises a damping element to absorb the mechanical vibrations of the support layer.

9. A base platform according to any preceding claim, wherein the base platform further comprises an optical beacon or radio beacon for navigating the unmanned aircraft.

10. Gangway, in particular a telescopic gangway, attached to a ship, to which gangway a base platform according to any of the preceding claims 1-4 and 6-9 is attached.

11. Vessel to which a base platform according to any one of the preceding claims 1-9 is attached.