WO2022189752A1 - Tool for constructing a wall of a sealed and thermally insulating tank - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a tool (1) for constructing a wall of a sealed and thermally insulating storage tank intended to contain a cryogenic fluid, the construction tool (1) comprising a frame (8), a welding device (12), a gripping device (10) configured to grip at least one metal plate (2) forming the wall of the tank and a push device (14) configured to press against the metal plate (2). According to the invention, the frame (8) carries the gripping device (10), and the welding device (12) is connected to the frame (8) by a means (16) that allows the welding device (12) to move relative to the frame (8) in at least one direction (L, V, T).

Description

DESCRIPTION

Title: Tool for constructing a wall of a watertight and thermally insulating tank.

The invention falls within the field relating to the assembly and fixing of sealed metal membranes against a wall of a sealed and thermally insulating tank, and relates more particularly to a tool for constructing such membranes.

Liquid natural gas is generally transported by sea in storage tanks on transport ships. Natural gas is kept in liquid form to increase the amount of natural gas transported, the volume of one liter of natural gas in liquid form being much less than the volume of one liter of natural gas in gaseous form. These tanks maintain the liquid natural gas at a very low temperature, and more precisely at a temperature below -163°C, the temperature at which the natural gas is in liquid form at atmospheric pressure.

This type of tank is generally composed in its thickness of two layers superimposed on each other so that one of the two layers is in contact with the liquid natural gas stored in the tank, while the other layer is in contact with a supporting structure of the tank. In addition, each of the layers comprises a thermally insulating barrier carrying a waterproof membrane. More specifically, the tight membrane of the layer in contact with the liquid natural gas is composed of a plurality of metal plates welded to each other. The metal plates present waves, these waves notably making it possible to absorb the mechanical stretching or contraction stresses that appear when the ship is sailing at sea.

The construction of such tanks requires a lot of equipment and a large workforce. It is known to mount the sealed membrane of the layer in contact with the liquid natural gas chronologically after the mounting of the thermally insulating barrier of this layer.

For this, a first metal plate is positioned and fixed on the thermally insulating barrier of the layer. A first tool is then used to correctly position a second metal plate with respect to the first metal plate. Once the correctly positioned second metal plate, a pointing is carried out allowing the second metal plate to be held in position against the thermally insulating barrier of the layer, then the first tool is detached from the second metal plate. A second tool is then used to weld the second plate to the first plate. These actions are then repeated for mounting each of the metal plates against the wall of the tank.

A first drawback of this method lies in the fact that it is impossible to exert a force on the metal plate to guarantee contact between the anchor points located on the thermal insulation barrier during the welding of the metal plate.

A second disadvantage of this assembly method is that the use of a second tool requires several positions on the metal plate. This adds additional steps which lengthens the manufacturing process.

In this context, the invention proposes a solution responding to the various drawbacks mentioned above. The invention relates more particularly to a fixing system making it possible, on the one hand, to position the metal plate against the wall of the tank and, on the other hand, to fix the metal plate by welding to at least one anchor point of the barrier. thermal insulation located below.

The main subject of the present invention is a tool for constructing a wall of a leaktight and thermally insulating storage tank intended to contain a cryogenic fluid, the construction tool comprising a frame, a welding device, a gripping device configured to take at least one metal plate constituting the wall of the tank and a pushing device configured to exert pressure against the metal plate, the frame carrying the gripping device, the welding device being connected to the frame by an authorizing means a movement of said welding device relative to the frame in at least one direction.

It is understood that the construction tool is capable on the one hand of taking a metal plate, that is to say of making the metal plate of the construction tool integral, and on the other hand of positioning and fixing the metal plate against the wall of the tank. For this, the gripping device is configured to make the metal plate of the construction tool integral by means of mechanical gripping, by magnetization, by suction cup effect or by ephemeral welding, for example, the pushing device being configured for refining a force exerted against the metal plate, the welding device being finally configured to fix the metal plate by welding to at least one anchor point of the thermal insulation barrier located below.

It is understood that the frame carries both the gripping device, the welding device, the pushing device and the means allowing movement relative to the frame of the welding device along at least one direction.

According to an optional characteristic of the invention, the pushing device is connected to the frame by the means allowing movement of the welding device relative to the frame. It is understood that the pushing device and the welding device are made movable along at least one direction relative to the frame by the same means allowing movement.

According to another optional characteristic of the invention, the frame comprises a frame and at least one arm extending along a direction transverse to a plane in which the frame mainly extends, the arm carrying at one free end the gripping device.

According to another optional characteristic of the invention, the frame comprises a plurality of arms each carrying at their free end a gripping device.

According to another optional characteristic of the invention, at least one arm of the frame extends along a direction perpendicular to the plane in which the frame mainly extends.

According to another optional characteristic of the invention, the frame comprises at least one joint arranged between the arm and the frame or arranged between the arm and the gripping device.

According to another optional feature of the invention, the joint takes the form of a ball joint received in a housing. The arm may comprise a first ball joint and a second ball joint formed at each end of the arm, the frame comprising a first housing while a second housing is formed in the gripping device.

Alternatively, the ball joint can be formed on the frame and/or on the gripping device, while the respective housings are made at the ends of the arm.

According to another optional characteristic of the invention, the gripping device is configured to be in contact with one and only one face of the metal plate. We hear here that the gripping device, when it catches the metal plate, is in contact with a single face of the metal plate, said face corresponding in particular to one of the main extension faces of the metal plate.

According to another optional characteristic of the invention, the gripping device comprises at least one jaw intended to cooperate with at least one corrugation of the metal plate.

According to another optional characteristic of the invention, the jaw of the gripping device comprises a first groove and a second groove, each groove extending along a direction perpendicular to the direction along which the other extends groove.

According to another optional characteristic of the invention, the jaw of the gripping device comprises two blocks movable between a first position and a second position along a direction perpendicular to a main direction of extension of the arm, the two blocks participating in define at least one gripper groove when in one of the two positions.

According to another optional characteristic of the invention, the gripping device comprises at least one suction cup intended to cooperate with at least one flat portion of the metal plate.

According to another optional characteristic of the invention, the means allowing movement of the welding device and/or of the pushing device relative to the frame comprises at least one rail integral with at least one arm of the frame, the means being configured to allow movement of the welding device and / or the pushing device along a main direction of extension of the rail.

According to another optional characteristic of the invention, the means allowing movement of the welding device and/or of the pushing device relative to the frame comprises at least one platform which extends between the frame and the gripping device, the means being configured to allow movement of the platform in at least two intersecting directions contained in the same plane.

According to another optional characteristic of the invention, the frame comprises at least two arms each comprising a gripping device arranged at a free end of the arm, at least one of the two arms comprises a translation member configured to bring the gripping device closer to or further away from the frame.

According to another optional feature of the invention, the platform is movable relative to a pair of rails extending along a first direction, the pair of rails being movable relative to a pair of beams of the frame along a second direction substantially perpendicular to the first direction.

According to another optional characteristic of the invention, the frame comprises at least one member generating a displacement of the welding device and/or of the pushing device around and/or along a direction perpendicular to a general extension plane of the built.

It is understood from this that the member generating a displacement of the welding device and/or of the pushing device with respect to the frame fear wanders connected to the rail of the frame or to the platform of the frame according to the embodiment of the invention.

According to another optional characteristic of the invention, the pushing device comprises a base and at least one branch, at least one end of the branch being integral with the base, the branch extending from the base along a direction transverse to the plane in which the base is inscribed, a free end of the branch being intended to bear against the metal plate. In other words, the pushing device has a “U” shaped section, each free edge being able to exert a force around a weld zone of the metal plate along the pushing direction. It is understood that the thrust device allows static or dynamic pressing of the metal plate when the welding device fixes the metal plate to the thermally insulating barrier.

It is noted that the pushing device may comprise several branches distinct from each other and integral with the base.

According to another optional characteristic of the invention, the branch comprises a flat extension extending from the free end of the branch in a plane substantially parallel to the plane in which the base extends, the extension comprising an orifice taking example the shape of the area to be welded and through which the welding device can weld the metal plate. According to another optional characteristic of the invention, the pushing device comprises at least one wheel intended to come into abutment and to exert a force in a direction of pushing against the metal plate. It is understood that the wheel is configured to come exerted a pressing force around a zone to be welded of the metal plate. The wheel may include a groove on its periphery.

Advantageously, the wheel is located upstream of the welding device according to a welding direction produced by the welding device. It is understood from this that the wheel bears on an area to be welded in front of the welding device.

According to another optional characteristic of the invention, the branches of the pushing device are arranged on either side of the welding device. The legs and the base surround the welding device, in particular a welding torch of the welding device.

According to another optional characteristic of the invention, the welding device comprises at least one torch intended to be connected to a welding station located at a distance from the construction tool. "Remote" means that the welding device placed on the construction tool is connected to a welding station, for example by means of a power cable, the welding station being installed outside the construction tool. construction. In other words, the welding machine is not installed on the construction tool, but is connected to the welding device by the power cable.

Furthermore, the welding can be, for example, plasma welding.

According to another characteristic of the invention, the welding device comprises a base carrying the torch of the welding device and a sliding rail, the torch being movable at least along the sliding rail.

According to another characteristic of the invention, the welding device comprises at least one device for translating the torch relative to the thrust device, the translation device being configured to make the torch movable along a thrust direction substantially perpendicular to a main frame extension plane.

The invention also relates to a construction device comprising a construction tool according to any one of the preceding characteristics, the construction device construction comprising a supporting frame of a mast at the end of which is fixed the construction tool, the welding device being connected to a welding station carried by the frame.

According to another optional characteristic of the invention, the mast comprises at least one first jack for pressing the metal plate against the wall, the frame comprising at least one second jack configured to refine the pressing force exerted by the first jack.

Other characteristics, details and advantages of the invention will emerge more clearly on reading the description which follows on the one hand, and several examples of embodiment given by way of indication and not limitation with reference to the appended schematic drawings on the other. part, on which:

[Fig. 1] is a representation in perspective of a construction tool according to the invention and of a metal plate;

[Fig. 2] is a diagram of the construction tool represented in FIG. 1, according to a first embodiment;

[Fig. 3] is a perspective view of a device for gripping the construction tool according to FIG. 1;

[Fig. 4] is a perspective view of the construction tool according to a second embodiment;

[Fig. 5] is another perspective view of the construction tool according to a second embodiment

[Fig. 6] is a schematic representation seen from below of the construction tool according to FIG. 4;

[Fig. 7] is a perspective view of a welding device and a first embodiment of a pushing device of the construction tool according to Figure 1 or 4;

[Fig. 8] is a perspective view of a welding device and a second embodiment of a construction tool pushing device according to Figure 1 or 4;

[Fig. 9] is a perspective view of a welding device and of a third embodiment of a pushing device of the construction tool according to FIG. 1 or 4; [Fig. 10] is a diagram of a construction apparatus comprising a construction tool according to Figure 1 or 4;

[Fig. 11] is a perspective view of the building apparatus shown in Figure 10.

The features, variants and different embodiments of the invention may be associated with each other, in various combinations, insofar as they are not incompatible or exclusive with respect to each other. In particular, variants of the invention may be imagined comprising only a selection of characteristics described below in isolation from the other characteristics described, if this selection of characteristics is sufficient to confer a technical advantage and/or to differentiate the invention. compared to the prior art.

In the following description, the denominations “longitudinal”, “transverse” and “vertical” refer to the orientation of a construction tool according to the invention. A longitudinal direction corresponds to a main direction of extension of a longitudinal beam of a frame of the construction tool, this longitudinal direction being parallel to a longitudinal axis L of a reference L, V, T illustrated in the figures . A transverse direction corresponds to a direction along which the wall of the frame extends, this transverse direction being parallel to a transverse axis T of the reference L, V, T and this transverse axis T being perpendicular to the longitudinal axis L. Finally , a vertical direction corresponds to a direction parallel to a vertical axis V of the reference L, V, T, this vertical axis V being perpendicular to the longitudinal axis L and the transverse axis T.

In Figure 1 is illustrated a construction tool 1 according to the invention which intervenes in the construction of a wall of a sealed and thermally insulating storage tank intended to contain a cryogenic fluid. More particularly, such a storage tank is intended to be installed, for example, on a ship transporting cryogenic fluid or on a dock in a port. The storage tank is designed to store cryogenic fluid in liquid form, i.e. at a temperature equal to or lower than -163°C for example. Such a fluid is for example liquefied natural gas (LNG).

To store the cryogenic fluid at this temperature, at least one wall of the vessel is composed of a primary layer in contact with the cryogenic fluid and, for example, of a secondary layer surrounding the primary layer. Preferably, all of the walls of the vessel are composed of the primary layer and the secondary layer.

At least the first layer is composed of a thermally insulating barrier and a sealed membrane intended to be in contact with the cryogenic fluid, and resting against the thermally insulating barrier. Preferably, the second layer also comprises a thermally insulating barrier and a sealing membrane, the latter being placed between the thermally insulating barrier of the second layer and the thermally insulating barrier of the first layer.

More specifically, the waterproof membrane of the first layer is composed of a plurality of metal plates 2 assembled to each other against the thermally insulating barrier.

The metal plates 2 have on their surface waves 4 intended to extend towards the inside of the storage tank. Waves 4 extend along two directions substantially perpendicular to each other, waves 4 intersect forming a node 6. In other words, waves 4 extend on the surface of the metal plates 2 in the form of a grid.

As illustrated in Figure 1, the construction tool 1 comprises a frame 8 and at least one gripping device 10 configured to take at least one metal plate 2 constituting the wall of the storage tank. More specifically, the frame 8 is an infrastructure of the construction tool 1 carrying the gripping device 10. It is understood from this that the gripping device 10 is secured to the frame 8 and that, for example when the gripping device 10 takes a metal plate 2, the movement of the frame 8 causes the movement of the gripping device 10 and of the metal plate 2.

According to the invention, the construction tool 1 also comprises a welding device 12 and a pushing device 14 configured to exert pressure against the metal plate 2.

Each metal plate 2 is made integral with the thermal insulation barrier by welding on an anchor plate, this welding being carried out by the welding device 12 of the construction tool 1. In addition, to ensure optimal fixing of a metal plate 2 to the thermally insulating barrier, the thrust device 14 of the construction tool 1 is capable of exerting pressure close to a weld zone 54. In other words, the thrust device thrust 14 exerts pressure against the metal plate 2, in particular close to a weld 54. The thrust device 14 thus makes it possible to press the metal plate 2 against the insulating thermal barrier.

As more particularly illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 6, the welding device 12 is connected to the frame 8 by a means 16 allowing movement of the welding device 12 with respect to the frame 8, in at least one direction. It is understood that the means 16 makes it possible to guide the movement of the welding device 12 along at least one direction relative to the frame 8, that is to say that the movement of the welding device 12 relative to the frame 8 is independent of the displacement of the bâri 8.

In addition, the pushing device 14 is also connected to the frame 8 by the means 16 allowing movement of the welding device 12 relative to the frame 8. It is understood here that the welding device 12 and the pushing device 14 are both carried by the means 16 allowing the movement of the welding device 12 relative to the bâri 8. The means 16 therefore guides the movement, on the one hand, of the movement of the welding device 12 relative to the bâri 8, but also the movement of the pushing device 14 with respect to frame 8, in a manner similar to what has been described for welding device 12. Preferably, means 16 guides the movement of welding device 12 and pushing device 14 simultaneously, c that is, when the means 16 guides the movement of the welding device 12 along at least one direction, the means 16 also guides the pushing device 14 along the same direction.

More derailed descriptions of the pushing device 14, of the welding device 12 and of the means 16 allowing the displacement of the welding device 12 and of the pushing device 14 will be carried out following the derailed descriptions of the frame 8 and of the gripping device 10 which follow and which will refer in particular to figures 1 to 6.

According to the invention, the frame 8 comprises a frame 18 and at least one arm 20 extending along a direction transverse to the plane in which the frame 18 extends. More specifically, the frame 18 comprises at least one beam longitudinal beam 22 extending mainly substantially along the longitudinal direction L and at least one transverse beam 24 extending for its part mainly along the transverse direction T. Advantageously, the frame comprises two longitudinal beams 22 extending mainly substantially along the longitudinal direction L and two transverse beams 24 extending mainly for its part substantially along the transverse direction T, the two transverse beams 24 extending for example between the two beams longitudinal 22. As seen in Figure 1, the frame 18 extends globally in a rectangular shape delimited by the longitudinal 22 and transverse 24 beams. However, a frame 18 taking another form does not depart from the scope of the invention.

Alternatively, the frame 18 may comprise a single beam extending substantially along the longitudinal direction L, for example. A width of this single beam is greater than a height of the single beam, the width being measured along the transverse direction T and the height being measured along the vertical direction V. It is understood here that the single-beam has a flattened shape compared to the longitudinal beams 22 shown in Figure 1. The single-beam comprises a recess reducing its weight and thus facilitating its movement by the construction tool 1.

In this alternative embodiment, the means 16 extends substantially at least along the main direction of extension of the single beam, namely substantially parallel to the longitudinal direction L.

As specified above, the arm 20 extends along a direction transverse to the plane in which the frame 18 extends, that is to say it extends along a secant direction with respect to the main plane in which the frame 18 is inscribed. According to an alternative illustrated in FIG. 4, the arm 20 extends perpendicularly with respect to the main plane in which the frame 18 is inscribed, that is to say say along the vertical direction V.

As more particularly visible in Figure 1, the frame 8 comprises a plurality of arms 20 extending more particularly from the longitudinal beams 22. Furthermore, the plurality of arms 20 is arranged regularly along the longitudinal beams 22, the arm 20 aligning two by two along a direction parallel to the transverse direction T. It is understood that the arms 20 of the plurality of arms 20 form pairs of arms 20 of which one of the two arms 20 extends from one of the two longitudinal beams 22, the other of the two arms 20 extending from the other of the two longitudinal beams 22. As more particularly visible in Figure 2, the frame 8 comprises at least one joint 26 disposed between the arm 20 and the frame 18. More specifically, the joint 26 is disposed between one end of the arm 20 and the frame 18. For example , the joint 26 is composed of a ball joint carried by the arm 20 and of a substantially spherical housing cooperating with the ball joint, the housing being carried by the frame 18, the ball joint of the arm 20 being received in the housing carried by the frame 18. According to an alternative of the invention, it is the frame 18 which carries the ball joint, the arm 20 carrying the housing.

According to another example, the articulation 26 can comprise at least one pivot or a flexible element.

According to another alternative visible in Figure 2, the frame 8 comprises a link 28 extending between one end of the arm 20 and the frame 18, the link 28 making the arm 20 integral with the frame 18. The frame 18 and the arm 20 each comprise a ball joint 30, the link 28 comprising two housings 32 each disposed at one end of the link 28. Each of the housings 32 of the link 28 cooperates with the ball joint 30 of the arm 20 or the ball joint 30 of the frame 18. The link 28 offers a certain flexibility in the positioning of the gripping device 10 on the node of the metal plate.

According to another alternative, the frame 18 and the arm 20 carry the housings and the link 28 comprises two ball joints, each ball joint cooperating with one of the housings.

Advantageously, the frame 8 comprises a link 28 between each arm 20 of the plurality of arms 20 and the frame 18, the link 28 being able to be made according to any one of the alternatives described above. In this configuration, each arm 20 is movable independently of the other arms 20, which offers a certain play in the positioning of the gripping devices 10.

According to the invention, at least one arm 20 carries at a free end the gripping device 10. More particularly, the gripping device 10 is carried by the arm 20 so that the arm 20 extends between the gripping device 10 and the frame 18 or the connecting rod 28. Advantageously, each arm 20 of the plurality of arms 20 of the frame 8 carries a gripping device 10 at their free ends.

Advantageously, the gripping device 10 is configured to be in contact with a single face of the metal plate 2. It is meant here that the gripping device 10, when it renders integral with the metal plate 2 of the construction tool 1, is in contact with a single face of the metal plate 2, said face corresponding in particular to one of the main extension faces of the metal plate 2. The gripping device 10 comprises thus means which catch the metal plate and these means are all gathered on the same side of the frame 18.

As illustrated in Figure 3, the gripping device 10 comprises for example a jaw 34 intended to cooperate with at least one wave 4 or a node 6 of the metal plate 2. The gripping device 10 is capable, by this cooperation with the wave 4 or the node 6 of the metal plate 2, to temporarily secure the metal plate 2 to the construction tool 1.

More precisely, the jaw 34 is here composed of at least two blocks 36 of which at least one of the two blocks 36 is movable along a gripping direction A perpendicular to the direction of extension of the arm 20. It is understood that the blocks 36 can approach and move away from each other along the gripping direction A. The two blocks 36 are thus movable between two positions: a first position, called the open position, in which the two blocks 36 are furthest from each other, and a second position, called the closed position, in which the two blocks 36 are closest to each other. In other words, a first distance measured between the two blocks 36 when they are in the first position is greater than a second distance measured between the two blocks 36 when they are in a second position, each of these two distances being measured along grip direction A.

The two blocks 36 participate in defining a groove intended to cooperate with a wave 4 or a node 6 of the metal plate 2. The two blocks 36 delimit the groove in particular when the two blocks 36 are in the second position. The groove takes a generally complementary shape to the wave 4 or the node 6 of the metal plate 2 so that the gripping device 10 can exert pressure against the surfaces of the wave 4 or the node 6 of the metal plate 2 , making it possible to catch the metal plate 2.

Furthermore, alternatively, at least one of the blocks 36 is composed at least partially of an elastically deformable material which would take the form of the wave 4 and/or the node 6 when the two blocks 36 are in the second position. Preferably, the gripping device 10 comprises a first groove and a second groove extending perpendicularly to one another with respect to the aurre and intended to cooperate with a node 6 at the level of the intersection of two waves 4 of the metal plate 2. In other words, the first groove takes a shape complementary to a first wave 4 of the metal plate 2, the second groove taking a shape complementary to a second wave 4 of the metal plate 2, the first wave 4 and the second wave 4 extending perpendicular to each other.

It is understood that the blocks 36 of the jaw 34 are all in contact with a single face of the metal plate 2, so as to be able to pull it off by this face and then position it against an insulating mass of the tank plane on plane.

According to an alternative of the invention, the gripping device 10 comprises a strong suction cup to secure the metal plate 2 to the construction tool 1. It is understood that the suction cup cooperates with a flat surface of the metal plate 2, this surface plane being for example delimited by at least two waves 4 of the metal plate 2. It is understood from the above that the gripping device 10 is hard to catch at least temporarily the metal plate 2 of the construction tool 1. In this way, the construction tool 1, by means of the gripping device 10 is hard to take the metal plate 2, to move it and to position it against the wall of the tank, at least until the moment when the metal plate 2 is secured to the wall of the tank.

Similar to what has been described above, the suction cup is in contact with only one side of the metal plate 2, so that it can be picked up by this side and then positioned against the insulating mass of the tank plane on plane .

According to another alternative of the invention, the gripping device 10 can grasp the metal plate by magnetization, by suction or by ephemeral welding, for example. The gripping device 10 is positioned for example at the level of a wave 4, of a node 6 or at the level of a flat surface of the metal plate 2 arranged between a plurality of waves 4, in particular for the case of the magnetization or aspiration or ephemeral welding. It is thus understood that the gripping device 10, regardless of the form it takes, is always in contact with only one of the two main faces of the metal plate 2. We will now describe in more detail the means 16 for moving the welding device 12 and the pushing device 14 relative to the frame 8, with reference to Figures 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9.

As more particularly visible in Figures 2 and 6, the means 16 allowing movement of the welding device 12 and the pushing device 14 relative to the frame 8 comprises at least one rail 38 secured to at least one arm 20 of the frame 8 , the means 16 being configured to allow movement of the welding device 12 along a main extension direction B of the rail 38. It is understood that the welding device 12 and the pushing device 14 are movable along this main direction of extension B of rail 38. Preferably, rail 38 is integral with a plurality of arms 20 of frame 18.

The main direction of extension B is parallel to the main plane in which the frame 18 fits. Furthermore and as illustrated in Figures 2 and 6, the main direction of extension B is substantially parallel to the longitudinal direction L The main direction of extension B can extend parallel to another direction, like the transverse direction T, as long as this direction is substantially parallel to the main plane in which the frame 18 is inscribed, and this without however departing from the framework of the invention.

According to a second embodiment and as more particularly visible in Figures 4 to 6, the means 16 allowing movement of the welding device 12 relative to the frame 8 comprises at least one platform 40 which extends between the frame 18 and the gripping device 10, the means 16 being configured to allow movement of the platform 40 in at least two intersecting directions contained in the same plane. The welding device 12 and the pushing device 14 are carried by the platform 40 and movable along these two intersecting directions contained in the same plane.

For this, the frame 8 comprises at least one rail 42, and advantageously a pair of rails 42, extending along a direction of movement C, the platform 40 being movable along the rail 42, and/or the pair of rails 42, as well as along the direction of movement C. As more particularly visible in FIG. 6, the direction of movement C extends substantially parallel to the transverse direction T. However, a construction tool 1 where the displacement direction C would extend substantially parallel to another direction, such as for example the longitudinal direction L, would not depart from the scope of the invention. The rail 42, and/or the pair of rails 42, and at least one of the longitudinal beams 22 are connected by a sliding connection 44, so as to make the rail 42, and/or the pair of rails 42, mobile on along the longitudinal beam 22, that is to say along the longitudinal direction L. It is understood from this that the rail 42, and/or the pair of rails 42, as well as the platform 40, the welding device 12 and the pushing device 14 are movable along one of the longitudinal beams 22.

More parricularmenr, each rail 42 comprises a transverse slide 43 extending substantially along the transverse direction T, the platform 40 comprising at least one sliding member 45 cooperating with one of the transverse slides 43 of the rails 42 to make mobile the platform 40 along the transverse direction T. Similarly, each longitudinal beam 22 comprises a longitudinal slide 47 extending substantially along the longitudinal direction L, each rail 42 comprising at least one sliding member 49 cooperating with one of the longitudinal slides 47 of the longitudinal beams 22 to make the rails 42 movable along the longitudinal direction L. The transverse slides 43, longitudinal slides 47, the sliding members 45 and the sliding members 49 constitute the sliding link 44.

Advantageously and as illustrated in Figures 4 to 6, the platform 40 is carried by the pair of rails 42 extending mainly along the transverse direction T, the platform 40 being movable along the transverse direction T. This mobility is achieved by means of the sliding connection 44 operated between the platform 40 and the pair of rails 42, and more particularly by the cooperation between the sliding members 45 of the platform and the transverse slides 43 of the rails 42. It is understood that the displacement of the platform 40 along the pair of rails 42 also causes the displacement of the welding device 12 and the pushing device 14 along the pair of rails 42 and the transverse direction T.

Thanks to the mobility of the platform 40 along the transverse direction T and the mobility of the pair of rails 42 along the longitudinal direction L, the welding device 12 and the pushing device 14 are movable both along the transverse direction T and along the longitudinal direction L, thus making it possible to precisely position along each of these two directions the welding device 12 and the pushing device 14 with respect to the areas to be welded of the metal plate 2 . According to an alternative of the invention and as illustrated in FIG. 5, at least one arm 20 carrying a gripping device 10 comprises a translation member 41 configured to move the gripping device 10 closer to or further from the frame 18. translation member 41 allows arm 20 to be reversibly retractable on itself to facilitate movement of thrust device 14 and/or welding device 12 by means 28. It is understood that, for example, one of arm 20 of the frame 8 is placed on the path of the pushing device 14 and the welding device 12 when the means 16 moves them, and this arm 20 can retract, that is to say that the gripping device 10 is brought closer to the frame 18, to allow the movement of the pushing device 14 and/or the welding device 12.

According to a feature of the invention visible in Figure 7, the frame 8 comprises a member 46 generating a movement of the welding device 12 and / or the thrust device 14 around and / or substantially along a direction perpendicular to a general extension plane of the frame 8. It is understood from this that the member 46 can generate a displacement of the welding device 12 and/or of the pushing device 14 with respect, according to the embodiment of the invention, to the rail 38 or to the platform 40. In these different configurations, the direction along which the welding device 12 and/or the pushing device 14 are movable via the member 46 is substantially perpendicular with respect to the rail 38 or with respect to to a main extension plane of the platform 40, and more generally with respect to the frame 18 of the frame 8.

As more particularly visible in Figure 7, the member 46 may be a shaft extending for example between the platform 40 and the welding devices 12 and thrust 14 along the vertical direction V, that is to i.e. a direction substantially perpendicular with respect to the main plane in which the frame 18 is inscribed. Thanks to this member 46, the welding device 12 and the pushing device 14 can be moved closer to and/or further from the metal plate 2, and pivoted to refine the positioning of each of these two devices 12, 14.

According to an exemplary embodiment, this member 46 is a jack, optionally combined with an electric motor, capable of rotating the jack around its axis of extension of its rod. It is understood here that the member 46 makes it possible on the one hand to move the welding device 12 and/or the pushing device 14 along the vertical direction V so that the welding device 12 and/or the pushing device 14 can be moved away from and/or closer to the frame 18 and the plate metal 2, and on the other hand to be able to drive the welding device 12 and/or the pushing device 14 in rotation around a direction substantially parallel to the vertical direction V.

We will now describe in more detail the pushing device 14 and the welding device 12, in particular with reference to Figures 7 to 9.

The pushing device 14 comprises a base 48 and at least one branch 50, at least one end of the branch 50 being integral with the base 48, the branch 50 extending from the base 48 opposite the frame 18 along a thrust direction D perpendicular to the plane in which the base 48 is inscribed, a free end 52 of the branch 50 being configured to bear against the metal plate 2. Advantageously, the thrust device 14 comprises at least two legs extending from the base 48 opposite the frame 18, along a direction parallel to the direction of thrust D. More particularly, the thrust device 14 comprises a section generally taking the form of "U", this section being seen in a plane passing through the vertical direction V and the transverse direction T.

Furthermore, and as illustrated in Figures 1 or 7, the weld zone of the metal plate 2 is for example a slot 54 which opens onto a metal anchor of the thermally insulating barrier of the wall of the vessel. Each of the free ends 52 of the thrust device 14 is able to exert a force around this slot 54 so as to press the metal plate 2 at least around the slot 54 against the metal anchor of the thermally insulating barrier.

The term “slot 54” is understood to mean an opening extending mainly along a direction and made through the metal plate 2, the slot 54 having a greater length than its width, the length being measured along a direction perpendicular to a direction along which the width is measured. The length of the slot 54 forming the weld zone can for example be between 40 and 100 millimeters. However, a slot 54 having a length greater than 100 millimeters would not depart from the scope of the invention. The width of the slot in the zone to be welded is for its part between 1 and 12 millimeters, and advantageously between 2 and 5 millimeters.

Furthermore, one of the branches 50 extends substantially along the vertical direction V between the base 48 and its free end 52, the other of the branches 50 having two vertical portions 56 extending substantially along the direction vertical V and an intermediate portion 58 extending between each of the two vertical portions 56 and in a secant plane to the planes in which the two vertical portions 56 are part. However, the two branches 50 can be part of a single plane, or according to different portions as described above -above.

Advantageously and as can be seen in FIG. 7, the branches 50 of the pushing device 14 are arranged on either side of the welding device 12. It is thus understood that the welding device 12 is framed by each of the branches 50 of the pushing device 14. In this arrangement, the welding device 12 can make a weld in the slot 54, the free ends 52 of the pushing device 14 then exerting a pressure on either side of the slot 54.

According to a first alternative of the invention illustrated in FIG. 8, the pushing device 14 comprises only one branch 50 extending from one of the edges of the base 48, extending substantially along the direction vertical V opposite the base 48. In this exemplary embodiment of the invention, the thrust device 14 comprises an extension 51 extending from the free edge 52 of the branch 50 in a plane secant to the plane of the branch 50. According to one example, the extension 51 extends substantially parallel to the plane in which the base 48 is inscribed. The extension 51 generally takes the form of a pressure plate constituting the part of the thrust device exerting a force against the metal plate 2 at the level of the zone to be welded, here the slot 54.

More particularly, the extension 51 comprises a buttonhole 53, that is to say an orifice passing through the extension 51 on either side along the vertical direction V, the buttonhole 53 generally taking an oblong shape. More generally, the buttonhole 53 follows the profile of the zone to be welded, here the slot 54. In this configuration, the pushing device 14 can exert a force against the metal plate 2, this force being distributed around the slot 54 through the buttonhole 53, the welding device 12 having access through the buttonhole 53 to the slot 54 to weld the latter to an anchor of the thermally insulating barrier.

According to the embodiment illustrated in Figure 8, the pushing device 14 is fixed, while the welding device 12 is movable relative to the pushing device 14, to perform the welding on the anchor. According to a second alternative of the invention illustrated in FIG. 9, the thrust device 14 comprises at least one wheel 55 comprising a groove 57 advantageously extending over the entire periphery of the wheel 55. It is understood here that the wheel 55 comprises two discoid faces connected to each other by a bottom of the groove 57. The groove 57 participates in delimiting two contact edges 59 of the wheel 55 intended to rest on the metal plate 2, the contact edges 59 being configured to exert a force around the zone to be welded, here in the form of a slot 54. More particularly, the wheel 55 exerts this force on either side of the slot 54 when the welding device 12 performs the welding of the slot 54 to an anchorage of the thermally insulating barrier.

Advantageously, the wheel 55 is positioned upstream of the welding device 12 according to a welding direction of the welding device 12 along the slot 54. It is understood from this that the wheel 55 first presses along the slot 54 then that the welding device 12 carries out the welding of the slot 54, the wheel 55 advancing in front of the welding device 12 along the slot 54. However, the wheel 55 could be positioned downstream, i.e. say after the welding device 12, without departing from the scope of the invention.

According to the embodiment illustrated in Figure 9, the pushing device 14 and the welding device 12 moves simultaneously to perform the welding on the anchor, for example by being integral with one another.

The welding device 12, according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention, is a torch 60 intended to be connected to a welding station located at a distance from the construction tool 1. It is thus understood that the torch 60 is mounted on the frame 8, and is an integral part of the construction tool 1 while being electrically connected to the welding station which itself is not an integral part of the construction tool 1. As more particularly visible in Figure 7 , the welding device 12 is connected to the welding station by a cable 62, the latter making it possible to install the welding device 12 on the construction tool 1 while installing the welding station at a distance from said construction tool 1.

Furthermore, the welding device 12 comprises a base 61 carrying the torch 60 of the welding device 12 and a sliding rail 63 of the position of the torch 60. The base 61 is movable along the sliding rail 63, which extends along the longitudinal direction L on the example illustrated in FIG. 7, and thus makes the torch 60 movable along this sliding rail 63. The cooperation between this base 61 and the sliding rail 63 makes it possible to move the torch 60 along the slot 54 of the metal plate 10 when the torch 60 welds said slot 54 to the anchor.

In addition, the welding device 12 also comprises a translation device 65 allowing movement of the torch 60 along the vertical direction V. The translation device 65 is for example a jack making it possible to refine the position of the torch 60 when the latter is performing a weld, but also to move the torch 60 to the area to be welded of the metal plate 2.

Furthermore, the displacement of the torch 60 produced by the translation device 65 along the vertical direction V is between 0.5 and 5 millimeters. Advantageously, the movement of the torch 60 operated by this translation device 65 is between 1 and 2 millimeters.

We will now describe a construction device 64 on which is installed the construction tool 1 as described above, this description referring in particular to Figures 10 and 11.

As illustrated in Figures 10 and 11, the construction tool 1 is arranged on a construction device 64, the latter comprising a frame 66 carrying a mast 68 at the end of which is fixed the construction tool 1, the welding device 12 being connected to a welding station 70 carried by the frame 66. In other words, the welding station 70 is arranged on the frame 66, the mast 68 is integral at the level of one of its ends of the frame 66, the construction tool 1 being arranged at another end of the mast 68, opposite the frame 66. It is thus understood that the welding station 70 is installed at a distance from the construction 1, the cable 62 connecting the welding machine 70 to the welding device 12 arranged at the level of the construction tool 1 extending at least partly along the mast 68.

Furthermore, and as illustrated in FIGS. 10 and 11, the frame 66 comprises a displacement member 72, such as pairs of wheels allowing the construction device 64 to be able to circulate on a surface. In this way, the construction device 64 can move from a space where a plurality of metal plates 2 are stored, allowing the construction tool 1 to enter one of the metal plates 2, then to move the construction tool 1 towards a wall of the tank where the metal plate 2 can wander positioned and fixed.

For example and as more particularly visible in Figure 10, the mast 68 comprises a plurality of cylinders and joints 26 making the construction tool 1 movable along several directions. The joints 26 can wander as described above by being a cooperation between ball joint received in a housing, or even a rod offering a certain flexibility in the positioning of the various components of the mast 68.

For example, the mast 68 comprises a first part 74 and a second part 76, the first part 74 comprising a vertical movement mechanism 78 capable of moving along the vertical direction V the second part 76 of the mast 68. In this configuration, the construction tool 1 is installed at the end of the second part 76 of the mast 68, and, thanks to the vertical movement mechanism 78, is movable along the vertical direction V.

In addition, the mâr 68, and more particularly the second part 76 of the mâr 68, comprises a first jack 80 for pressing the metal plate 2 against the wall, the frame 8 comprising at least a second jack 82 configured to refine the effort of plating exerted by the first actuator 80.

The second cylinder 82 is arranged on the frame 8 and extends for example between the frame 18 and the end of the second part 76. More parricularmenr, the second cylinder 82 is configured to refine the pressure exerted by the first cylinder 80 on the metal plate 2, so as to press the metal plate 2 against the wall of the tank without causing deformation of the metal plate 2 or of the thermally insulating barrier on which the plate rests.

Advantageously and rel qu'illusrré in Figure 10, the second part 76 of the mâr 68 comprises an articulated connection 84 arranged between the first cylinder 80 and the second cylinder 82. This articulated connection 84 is for example a ball joint allowing mobility of the second cylinder 82 in rotation around a direction passing through the articulated link 84.

It is understood from the above that the two cylinders 80, 82 confer flexibility in the movement of the construction device 64, in particular because the vertical movement mechanism 78 allows the movement of the construction tool 1 along the direction vertical V, the first cylinder 80 allows for its part the movement of the construction tool 1 along a direction perpendicular to the vertical direction V and the second cylinder 82, cooperating with the articulated connection 84, allows to change the position of the construction ouril 1 at an angle between 0 ° and 180 °, for example.

The present invention cannot however be limited to the means and configurations described and illustrated here and it also extends to any equivalent means and configuration as well as to any technically effective combination of such means. In particular, the various characteristics referring to the longitudinal, transverse and vertical directions can be modified as long as the invention makes it possible to take a metal plate, then to weld this metal plate to the wall of the vessel.

Claims

1. Construction tool (1) of a wall of a sealed and thermally insulating storage tank intended to contain a cryogenic fluid, the construction tool (1) comprising a frame (8), a welding device (12 ), a gripping device (10) configured to take at least one metal plate (2) constituting the wall of the tank and a pushing device (14) configured to exert pressure against the metal plate (2), the frame (8) carrying the gripping device (10), the welding device (12) being connected to the frame (8) by a means (16) allowing movement of said welding device (12) relative to the frame (8) according to at least one direction (L, V, T). 2. Construction tool (1) according to claim 1, wherein the pushing device (14) is connected to the frame (8) by the means (16) allowing movement of the welding device (12) relative to the frame ( 8). 3. Construction tool (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the frame (8) comprises a frame (18) and at least one arm (20) extending along a direction transverse to a plane in which the frame (18) mainly extends, the arm (20) carrying the gripping device (10) at one free end. 4. Construction tool (1) according to claim 3, wherein the frame (8) comprises at least one joint (26) disposed between the arm (20) and the frame (18) or disposed between the arm (20) and the gripping device (10). 5. Construction tool (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the means (16) allowing movement of the welding device (12) and/or of the pushing device (14) relative to the frame (8 ) comprises at least one rail (38) integral with at least one arm (20) of the frame (8), the means (16) being configured to allow movement of the welding device (12) along a main direction extension (B) of the rail (38). 6. Construction tool (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the means (16) allowing movement of the welding device (12) and / or the pushing device (14) relative to the frame (8) comprises at least one platform (40) which extends between the frame (8) and the gripping device (10), the means (16) being configured to allow movement of the platform (40) in at least two intersecting directions (T, L) contained in the same plane. 7. Construction tool (1) according to any one of the preceding claims in combination with claim 3, in which the frame (8) comprises at least two arms (20) each comprising a gripping device (10) disposed at one free end of the arm (20), at least one of the two arms (20) comprises a translation member (41) configured to bring the gripping device (10) closer to or further from the frame (18). 8. Construction tool (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the frame (8) comprises at least one member (46) generating a displacement of the welding device (12) and/or of the pushing device ( 14) around and/or along a direction (D) perpendicular to a general extension plane of the frame (8). 9. A construction tool (1) according to any preceding claim, wherein the pushing device (14) comprises a base (48) and at least one leg (50), at least one end of the leg (50 ) being integral with the base (48), the branch (50) extending from the base (48) along a direction transverse to a plane in which the base (48) is inscribed, a free end (52) of the branch (50) being intended to bear against the metal plate (2). 10. Construction tool (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein at least two branches (50) of the pushing device (14) are arranged on either side of the welding device (12). 11. Construction tool (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the pushing device (14) comprises at least one wheel (55) intended to come into abutment and to exert a force in a pushing direction ( D) against the metal plate (2). 12. Construction tool (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the welding device (12) comprises at least one torch (60) intended to be connected to a welding station (70) located at a distance from the construction tool (1). 13. Construction tool (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein the welding device (12) comprises a base (61) carrying the torch (60) of the welding device (12) and a sliding rail (63) , the torch (60) being movable at least along the slide rail (63). 14. Construction tool (1) according to any one of claims 12 or 13, wherein the welding device (12) comprises at least one translation device (65) of the torch (60) relative to the thrust device (14), the translation device (65) being configured to move the rock (60) along a direction of thrust (D) substantially perpendicular to a main plane of extension of the frame (8). 15. Construction device (64) comprising a construction tool (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, the construction device (64) comprising a frame (66) carrying a mâr (68) at the end of which the construction tool (1) is fixed, the welding device (12) being connected to a welding machine (70) carried by the frame (66). 16. Construction apparatus (64) according to the preceding claim, wherein the mâr (68) comprises at least a first jack (80) for pressing the metal plate (2) against the wall of the tank, the frame (8) comprising at least one second cylinder (82) configured to refine the pressing force exerted by the first cylinder (80).