Lifting device for lifting an upper part of a sea platform
First Claim
1. A lifting device for lifting an upper part of a sea platform, the sea platform comprising a support structure and a top side, the lifting device being constructed to be positioned on a lifting vessel, the lifting device comprising:
- a base frame constructed to rest on the lifting vessel,at least one console frame connected to the base frame via a flexible connection system,a suspension system connected to the console frame or to the base frame and comprising a leg connector which is constructed to be connected to a leg of the sea platform, wherein the suspension system is constructed to allow freedom of movement of the leg connector relative to the console frame,wherein the flexible connection system forms a flexible connection between the console frame and the base frame and allows a predetermined movement of the console frame relative to the base frame,wherein the suspension system comprises at least one pivotable beam which extends outwardly away from the base frame over a horizontal distance and is pivotable about a horizontal pivot axis relative to the base frame,wherein the lifting device comprises a pivotable beam actuator for pivoting the pivotable beam between an upper position and a lower position, wherein in the lower position the pivotable beam engages an outer support of the console frame and is supported by the console frame, and wherein in the upper position the pivotable beam is positioned at a distance above the outer support, thereby defining a gap between the pivotable beam and the outer support, and is allowed to pivot over an angle β
,wherein the lifting device is constructed to be switched;
from a load-transfer mode in which the flexible connection system and the pivotable beam actuator provide a first stiffness and a first counterforce against a downward pivotal movement of the pivotable beam,to a transport mode in which the console frame and the flexible connection system provide a second stiffness and a second counterforce against the downward pivotal movement of the pivotable beam, wherein the second stiffness is greater than the first stiffness, and the second counterforce is greater than the first counterforce, andwherein in the upper position the lifting device is in the load-transfer mode, wherein in the lower position the lifting device is in the transport mode, and wherein the lifting device is configured to be switched from the load-transfer mode to the transport mode by pivoting the pivotable beam downward and engaging the outer support of the console frame, thereby closing the gap between the pivotable beam and the outer support.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention relates to a lifting device for lifting an upper part of a sea platform, the sea platform comprising a support structure and a top side, the lifting device being constructed to be positioned on a lifting vessel, the lifting device comprising: a base frame constructed to rest on the lifting vessel, at least one console frame connected to the base frame via a flexible connection system, a suspension system connected to the console frame and comprising a leg connector, wherein the suspension system is constructed to allow freedom of movement of the leg connector relative to the console frame, wherein the flexible connection system forms a flexible connection between the console frame and the base frame and allows a predetermined movement of the console frame.
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Citations
19 Claims
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1. A lifting device for lifting an upper part of a sea platform, the sea platform comprising a support structure and a top side, the lifting device being constructed to be positioned on a lifting vessel, the lifting device comprising:
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a base frame constructed to rest on the lifting vessel, at least one console frame connected to the base frame via a flexible connection system, a suspension system connected to the console frame or to the base frame and comprising a leg connector which is constructed to be connected to a leg of the sea platform, wherein the suspension system is constructed to allow freedom of movement of the leg connector relative to the console frame, wherein the flexible connection system forms a flexible connection between the console frame and the base frame and allows a predetermined movement of the console frame relative to the base frame, wherein the suspension system comprises at least one pivotable beam which extends outwardly away from the base frame over a horizontal distance and is pivotable about a horizontal pivot axis relative to the base frame, wherein the lifting device comprises a pivotable beam actuator for pivoting the pivotable beam between an upper position and a lower position, wherein in the lower position the pivotable beam engages an outer support of the console frame and is supported by the console frame, and wherein in the upper position the pivotable beam is positioned at a distance above the outer support, thereby defining a gap between the pivotable beam and the outer support, and is allowed to pivot over an angle β
,wherein the lifting device is constructed to be switched; from a load-transfer mode in which the flexible connection system and the pivotable beam actuator provide a first stiffness and a first counterforce against a downward pivotal movement of the pivotable beam, to a transport mode in which the console frame and the flexible connection system provide a second stiffness and a second counterforce against the downward pivotal movement of the pivotable beam, wherein the second stiffness is greater than the first stiffness, and the second counterforce is greater than the first counterforce, and wherein in the upper position the lifting device is in the load-transfer mode, wherein in the lower position the lifting device is in the transport mode, and wherein the lifting device is configured to be switched from the load-transfer mode to the transport mode by pivoting the pivotable beam downward and engaging the outer support of the console frame, thereby closing the gap between the pivotable beam and the outer support. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A lifting device for lifting an upper part of a sea platform, the sea platform comprising a support structure and a top side, the lifting device being constructed to be positioned on a lifting vessel, the lifting device comprising:
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a base frame constructed to rest on the lifting vessel, at least one console mechanism comprising a flexible connection system, wherein the console mechanism extends outwardly away from the base frame over a horizontal distance, a suspension system connected to the console mechanism or to the base frame and comprising a leg connector which is constructed to be connected to a leg of the sea platform, wherein the suspension system is constructed to allow freedom of movement of the leg connector relative to the console mechanism, wherein the suspension system comprises at least one pivotable beam which extends outwardly away from the base frame over a horizontal distance and is pivotable about a horizontal pivot axis relative to the base frame, wherein the at least one pivotable beam is connected to the console mechanism or to the base frame, wherein the console mechanism is connected to the pivotable beam at an outer support point and pivots with a pivoting movement of the pivotable beam, and wherein the lifting device comprises a pivotable beam actuator for pivoting the pivotable beam between an upper position and a lower position, wherein the lifting device is constructed to be switched; from a load-transfer mode in which the lifting device provides a first stiffness and a first counterforce against a downward pivotal movement of the suspension system, wherein in the load-transfer mode the pivotable beam actuator holds the pivotable beam in the upper position and provides the first stiffness and the first counterforce against the downward pivotal movement of the pivotable beam, to a transport mode, in which the pivotable beam is in the lower position, wherein the lifting device provides a second stiffness and a second counterforce against the downward pivotal movement of the suspension system, wherein the second stiffness is greater than the first stiffness, and the second counterforce is greater than the first counterforce, and wherein in the transport mode the flexible connection system forms a flexible connection between the base frame and the suspension system and the console mechanism supports the pivotable beam at the outer support point at a horizontal distance from the base frame against the downward pivotal movement and provides the second stiffness and the second counterforce against the downward pivotal movement of the pivotable beam in comparison with the first stiffness of the pivotable beam actuator and allows a limited movement of the pivotable beam together with the console mechanism relative to the base frame, wherein the base frame comprises a support base having an abutment surface, wherein the console mechanism comprises a foot having a mating support surface, wherein in the upper position of the pivotable beam the foot is positioned at a distance above the support base, thereby defining a gap between the pivotable beam and the support base, and the pivotable beam is allowed to pivot over an angle β
, wherein in the upper position of the pivotable beam the lifting device is in the load-transfer mode, andwherein the foot engages the support base when the pivotable beam pivots to a lower position, thereby closing the gap between the pivotable beam and the support base, and wherein the flexible connection system is activated by an engagement device and the lifting device is switched to the transport mode. - View Dependent Claims (19)
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Specification