Stabilizing system for a crane vessel
First Claim
1. A stabilizing system for a crane vessel comprising an upper structure having subaqueous hulls having hollow columns, a working platform on said upper structure above the level of the surrounding water and provided with crane means for displacing outboard relatively heavy loads over 250 tons, for instance 3000 tons, ballast water compartments above the water level, in the upper structure of the vessel, chute lines connecting the water ballast compartments with the surrounding water, discharge valves in said chute lines, said valves being located at the bottom of the ballast water compartments above water level, said ballast water compartments being divided along the circumference of the vessel for a water capacity in such a proportion to the maximum load to be displaced by the crane means, that by selectively discharging said ballast tanks, under the control of said discharge valves in said chute lines from the water compartments to the surrounding water a load compensation can be achieved, and means for selective control of said water discharge valves for the various water compartments in dependence on the moment of force applied to the vessel by the load being added to the crane means.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A stabilizing system for a crane vessel of the twin hull semi-submersible type having a working platform supported above sea level by columns on submersible hulls. Water ballast compartments above sea level on the corner columns are discharged selectively in order to stabilize the vessel during handling of heavy outboard loads by cranes. The water is discharged through controlled valves of special construction. This control is regulated in dependence of measured values of the moment of force applied on the vessel by the crane load, and effects the operation with the help of a computer.
Lower water ballast compartments in the columns have an additional "passive" function and the water can be discharged therefrom by pressurized air or by pumping it into the upper ballast compartments.
20 Citations
13 Claims
- 1. A stabilizing system for a crane vessel comprising an upper structure having subaqueous hulls having hollow columns, a working platform on said upper structure above the level of the surrounding water and provided with crane means for displacing outboard relatively heavy loads over 250 tons, for instance 3000 tons, ballast water compartments above the water level, in the upper structure of the vessel, chute lines connecting the water ballast compartments with the surrounding water, discharge valves in said chute lines, said valves being located at the bottom of the ballast water compartments above water level, said ballast water compartments being divided along the circumference of the vessel for a water capacity in such a proportion to the maximum load to be displaced by the crane means, that by selectively discharging said ballast tanks, under the control of said discharge valves in said chute lines from the water compartments to the surrounding water a load compensation can be achieved, and means for selective control of said water discharge valves for the various water compartments in dependence on the moment of force applied to the vessel by the load being added to the crane means.
Specification