Device for positioning and lifting a marine structure, particularly a platform deck
A device for positioning and lifting a marine structure, particularly a platform deck, with the use of a U-shaped lifting vessel ( 1 ). The device has at least two adjustable lifting frames ( 12,12 ), each able to incline towards the middle of the docking area. Each of the lifting frames ( 12 ) consists of an upper horizontal lifting beam ( 13 ), preferably situated on a level above the top of the lifting vessel ( 1 ). The near-vertical part of the lifting frame ( 16 ) is connected to the lifting beam ( 13 ) in the upper end and in the lower end hinged ( 21 ) to the lifting vessel ( 1 ). The near-horizontal part of the lifting frame ( 18 ) is in one end connected to the lifting beam ( 13 ) and in the other end adjustably connected to the lifting vessel ( 1 ).
1. A device for positioning and lifting a marine structure, the device comprising
a U-shaped ballastable lifting vessel ( 1 ), and
at least two adjustable lifting frames ( 12 , 12 ), each able to incline towards the middle of the U-shape of the lifting vessel ( 1 ), the lifting frames ( 12 ) respectively comprising upper horizontal lifting beams ( 13 ), near-vertical support structures ( 16 ) with upper ends respectively connected to the lifting beams ( 13 ) and lower ends respectively hinged ( 21 ) to the lifting vessel ( 1 ), and near-horizontal parts ( 18 ) having first ends respectively connected to the lifting beams ( 13 ) and second ends adjustably connected to the lifting vessel ( 1 ).
2. A device according to claim 1 , characterised in that at least one of the upper horizontal lifting beams ( 13 ) is covered with an external shock absorbing cover ( 14 ).
3. A device according to claim 2 , characterised in that the shock absorbing cover ( 14 ) is made of rubber.
4. A device according to claim 1 , characterised in that at least one of the lifting beams ( 13 ) is provided with hydraulic cylinders ( 30 ) in pre-defined lifting point positions.
5. A device according to claim 1 , characterised in that at least one of the lifting beams ( 13 ) is provided with sand-filled cylinders ( 35 ) in pre-defined lifting point positions for co-operation with corresponding conical tubular stubs ( 37 ) on a platform deck of the lifting vessel.
6. A device according to claim 1 , characterised in that at least one of the near-vertical support structures ( 16 ) has a truss structure.
7. A device according to claim 1 , characterised in that at least one of the near-horizontal parts ( 18 ) has a truss structure.
8. A device according to claim 1 , characterised in that the adjustable connection of at least one of the near-horizontal parts ( 18 ) to the lifting vessel ( 1 ) comprises a hydraulically operated bolt ( 9 ) inserted into a corresponding hole ( 8 ) in a guiding rail ( 7 ) on the lifting vessel ( 1 ).
9. A device according to claim 1 , characterised in that at least one of the near-vertical support structures ( 16 ) has adjustable hydraulic arms ( 20 ) connected to the lifting vessel ( 1 ).
10. A device according to claim 1 , wherein the upper horizontal lifting beams ( 13 ) are above a top of the lifting vessel ( 1 ).
11. A device according to claim 2 , characterised in that at least one of the near-vertical support structures ( 16 ) has a truss structure.
12. A device according to claim 4 , characterised in that at least one of the near-vertical support structures ( 16 ) has a truss structure.
13. A device according to claim 5 , characterised in that at least one of the near-horizontal support structures ( 16 ) has a truss structure.
14. A device according to claim 2 , characterised in that at least one of the near-horizontal parts ( 18 ) has a truss structure.
15. A device according to claim 4 , characterised in that at least one of the near-horizontal parts ( 18 ) has a truss structure.
16. A device according to claim 5 , characterised in that at least one of the near-horizontal pars( 18 ) has a truss structure.
17. A device according to claim 6 , characterised in that at least one of the near-horizontal parts ( 18 ) has a truss structure.
18. A device according to claim 2 , characterised in that the adjustable connection of at least one of the near-horizontal parts ( 18 ) to the lilting vessel ( 1 ) comprises a hydraulically operated bolt ( 9 ) inserted into a corresponding hole ( 8 ) in a guiding rail ( 7 ) on the lifting vessel ( 1 ).
19. A device according to claim 4 , characterised in that the adjustable connection of at least one of the near-horizontal parts ( 18 ) to the lifting vessel ( 1 ) comprises a hydraulically operated bolt ( 9 ) inserted into a corresponding hole ( 8 ) in a guiding rail ( 7 ) on the lifting vessel ( 1 ).
20. A device according to claim 5 , characterised in that the adjustable connection of at feast one of the near-horizontal parts ( 18 ) to the lifting vessel ( 1 ) comprises a hydraulically operated bolt ( 9 ) inserted into a corresponding hole ( 8 ) in a guiding rail ( 7 ) on the lifting vessel ( 1 ).