WO2009056377A1

WO2009056377A1 - Variable-trim module for providing floating or partially floating platforms

Info

Publication number: WO2009056377A1
Application number: PCT/EP2008/061680
Authority: WO
Inventors: Francesco Del Tosto; Romano Tucci
Original assignee: INSULAE NATANTES Srl
Current assignee: INSULAE NATANTES Srl
Priority date: 2007-11-02
Filing date: 2008-09-04
Publication date: 2009-05-07
Anticipated expiration: 2010-05-02
Also published as: ITMI20072112A1

Abstract

A variable-trim module (1) for providing floating or partially floating platforms, comprising at least one lattice structure (2), a platform superstructure (3) which rests on the lattice structure (2), at least one pressurized air base tank (4) contained within the lattice structure (2), pneumatic means (5) for injecting and/or discharging pressurized air inside the base tank (4), means (6) for managing the pneumatic means (5), sensor means (7) for detecting information on the status of the floating module, stabilizing means (8) for maintaining and controlling the level and stability during immersion, and means (9) for generating air and power supply means (10) for supplying power to the pneumatic means (5), the management means (6), the sensor means (7) and the stabilizing means (8).

Description

VARIABLE-TRIM MODIXE FOR PROVIDING FLOATING OR PARTIALLY FLOATING PLATFORMS

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a variable-trim module for providing floating or partially floating platforms. Background Art

It is known to use platforms of different kinds to perform functions which are typical of shipbuilding and maritime structure building.

Among the functions of shipbuilding and maritime structure building, the most frequent are the following:

- dry docks for building or repairing and launching vessels of any range;

- docks for building and launching floating caissons made of reinforced concrete; - pontoons for moving construction materials or performing specific steps of the construction of quays and maritime structures;

- cranes for lifting during launching and for storage of vessels and boats of any size, such as travel lifts or syncrolifts;

- operating platforms for moving large watercraft or yard equipment; - platforms adapted for positioning below water level for activities for the recovery of damaged vessels or for disassembling port structures;

- floating bridges, such as pontoon bridges for military or civil protection operations; - floating scaffolds for maritime structure maintenance;

- floating piers with variable trim to be used within industrial and leisure port facilities.

The known platforms used to provide the functions described above are not devoid of drawbacks, which include the fact that since they often comprise structures having a very low degree of flexibility, they are adapted to perform only some of the mentioned functions, to the detriment of the others.

Disclosure of the Invention The aim of the present invention is to eliminate the drawbacks noted above by providing a variable-trim module for providing floating or partially floating platforms which has a high degree of flexibility, being able to perform several functions which are typical of shipbuilding and maritime structure building. Within this aim, an object of the present invention is to provide a variable-trim module which is capable of maintaining a constant level for variable loads.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a variable-trim module which is capable of lifting or lowering loads with remote control. Still another object of the present invention is to provide a variable- trim module which is highly reliable, relatively simple to provide and at competitive costs.

This aim and these and other objects which will become better apparent hereinafter are achieved by a variable-trim module for providing floating or partially floating platforms, characterized in that it comprises at least one spatial lattice structure, a platform superstructure which rests on said spatial lattice structure, at least one pressurized air base tank contained within said spatial lattice structure, pneumatic means for injecting and/or discharging pressurized air inside said base tank, means for managing said pneumatic means, sensor means for detecting information on the status of the floating module, stabilizing means for maintaining and controlling the level and stability during immersion, and means for generating air and power supply means for supplying power to said pneumatic means, said management means, said sensor means and said stabilizing means. Brief Description of the Drawings Further characteristics and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the description of a preferred but not exclusive embodiment of a variable-trim module for providing floating or partially floating platforms, according to the invention, illustrated by way of non- limiting example in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a platform provided with variable- trim modules according to the invention;

Figure 2 is a side elevation view of a detail of the platform shown in Figure 1. Ways of carrying out the Invention

With reference to the figures, the variable-trim module for providing floating or partially floating platforms, according to the invention, generally designated by the reference numeral 1 , comprises a lattice structure 2, a platform superstructure 3 which rests on the spatial lattice structure 2, at least one base tank 4 of pressurized air contained inside the lattice structure 2, pneumatic means 5 for injecting and/or discharging air under pressure inside the base tank 4, means 6 for managing the pneumatic means 5, sensor means 7 for detecting information on the status of the module 1 , stabilizing means 8 for maintaining and controlling the level and stability during immersion and air generation means 9. Electric power supply means 10 supply power to the pneumatic means 5, the management means 6, the sensor means 7 and the stabilizing means 8.

The lattice structure 2 comprises a plurality of elementary profiles 2a made of steel and/or aluminum and/or composite materials, interconnected one another so as to form a box-like enclosure which is adapted to accommodate the base tank 4.

The platform superstructure 3 comprises a work surface 3 a, which can be provided with rails and/or with a continuous deck for reinforced concrete launchings and/or with strong points for fixing or resting concentrated loads. The base tank 4 is made for example of plastics, preferably PP, PE and/or similar materials, and is coupled in an upward region to the lattice structure 2 by the elementary profiles 2a.

The base tank 4 is of the bell type with an open bottom 4a and is provided at the top 4b with a first plurality of holes which are adapted to inject pressurized air from the outside and with a second plurality of holes adapted to expel air from the inside.

The pneumatic means 5 comprise pressurized air ducts 5a, which are connected to the base tank 4, and one or more actuators and/or electric valves 5b, which actuate the passage of air in the air ducts 5a and therefore actuate the pressure variation within the base tank 4.

The stabilizing means 8 have the dual function of maintaining an adequate pressure level in the base tank 4 and of allowing the stability and control of the trim during immersion of the platform superstructure 3. The stabilizing means 8 comprise one or more turrets 1 1, each defined by a tower-like lattice structure 1 1a and each containing internally at least one pressurized air tank 12 which is larger than the base tanks 4.

The management means 6 comprise electronic systems, which are contained in an upper portion l ib of the turrets 1 1, for electronic control with an operating console for data acquisition, for command sequence management, for system graphics display, for management calculations and process calculations and an automatic help system.

The operating console, if necessary, can be located remotely.

According to the invention, the module 1 can be connected to other equivalent modules 1 , except for the turrets 1 1 , so as to form an extended modular system with a regular geometry.

With reference to the figures, operation of a floating or partially floating platform provided with modules having a variable-trim lattice structure according to the invention is as follows. By means of the remote control of the operating console of the management means 6, it is possible to vary the volume of air contained within the base tanks 4, injecting and/or discharging air by means of the actuators and/or the electric valves 5b which adjust the air flow through the ducts 5 a. The variability of the trim of the individual modules 1 that constitute the platform modifies the trim of such platform.

This variability is kept under control by the management means 6 as a function of the status of the system monitored by the sensor means 7.

Moreover, the module according to the invention can be moved by means of the application of outboard propeller engines for movement in water and/or motorized tire-fitted wheels for movement on the wharf, in order to make the structure self-launching and/or to shelter it for example in case of sea storms or for maintenance.

The structure thus conceived in fact requires an extremely limited slipway, resting in water and varying its trim as described previously.

In practice it has been found that the variable-trim module for providing floating or partially floating platforms, according to the present invention, fully achieves the intended aim and objects, since it allows to provide platforms having different shapes and dimensions which have a high degree of flexibility and can perform several functions which are typical of shipbuilding and maritime structure building.

Another advantage of the module according to the invention is constituted by the fact that it is particularly easy to transport, assemble and disassemble. Another advantage of the module according to the invention is constituted by the fact that it is possible to provide platforms having a high overall strength due to the presence of the multiple modules which, interconnected one another, are adapted to bear even considerable loads.

Another advantage of the module according to the invention is constituted by the fact that the variability of the trim of the provided platform allows loading and/or unloading on the working surface of rail vehicles which arrive from fixed quays.

A further advantage of the module according to the invention is constituted by the fact that it has low transport, construction, management and maintenance costs.

Another advantage of the module according to the invention is constituted by the fact that the provided platform has a low environmental impact.

The variable-trim module for providing floating or partially floating platforms thus conceived is susceptible of numerous modifications and variations, all of which are within the scope of the appended claims; all the details may further be replaced with other technically equivalent elements.

In practice, the materials used, so long as they are compatible with the specific use, as well as the contingent shapes and dimensions, may be any according to requirements and to the state of the art.

The disclosures in Italian Patent Application no. MI2007A0021 12, from which this application claims priority, are incorporated herein by reference.

Where technical features mentioned in any claim are followed by reference signs, those reference signs have been included for the sole purpose of increasing the intelligibility of the claims and accordingly such reference signs do not have any limiting effect on the interpretation of each element identified by way of example by such reference signs.

Claims

1. A variable-trim module for providing floating or partially floating platforms, characterized in that it comprises at least one lattice structure, a platform superstructure which rests on said spatial lattice structure, at least one pressurized air base tank contained within said spatial lattice structure, pneumatic means for injecting and/or discharging pressurized air inside said base tank, means for managing said pneumatic means, sensor means for detecting information on the status of the floating module, stabilizing means for maintaining and controlling the level and stability during immersion, and means for generating air and power supply means for supplying power to said pneumatic means, said management means, said sensor means and said stabilizing means.

2. The module according to claim 1, characterized in that said lattice structure comprises a plurality of elementary profiles which are interconnected one another so as to form a box-like enclosure which is adapted to accommodate said base tank.

3. The module according to claim 2, characterized in that said elementary profiles are made of steel and/or aluminum and/or composite materials.

4. The module according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said platform superstructure comprises a work surface provided with rails.

5. The module according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said platform superstructure comprises a work surface provided with a continuous deck for reinforced concrete castings.

6. The module according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said platform superstructure comprises a work surface provided with strong points for fixing or resting concentrated loads.

7. The module according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said base tank is of the bell type which is open on its bottom and is provided at the top with a first plurality of holes which are adapted to inject air under pressure from the outside and with a second plurality of holes which are adapted to expel air from the inside.

8. The module according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said base tank is rigidly coupled in an upper region to said lattice structure by said elementary profiles.

9. The module according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said tank is made of plastics, including PP, PE, and/or the like.

10. The module according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said pneumatic means comprise pressurized air ducts which are connected to said base tank and one or more actuators and/or electric valves which control the passage of air within said air ducts.

11. The module according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said management means comprise electronic systems for electronic control with an operating console for data acquisition, for management of command sequences, for graphic visualization of the system, for management calculations and process calculations and an automatic help system.

12. The module according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said operating console, if necessary, can be arranged in a remote location.

13. The module according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said stabilizing means comprise one or more turrets, each defined by a lattice tower-like structure, each containing internally at least one pressurized air tank, which is larger than the base tanks, in order to maintain an adequate pressure level in said base tank and allow stability and trim control during the immersion of said platform superstructure.

14. The module according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said turrets contain said electronic systems in an upper portion.

15. The module according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is connected to other equivalent modules, except for said turrets, so as to form an extended modular system with a regular geometry.

16. The module according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises means for moving said module.

17. The module according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said movement means comprise an outboard engine.

18. The module according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said movement means comprise motorized wheels.