DE2309386A1 - VEHICLE FOR TRANSPORTING LOADS OVER ICE - Google Patents

Description

Frank Arnold Nix Patent attorney

Frankfort am Main 70 Gaitenstrasse 123

AIR LOGISTICS CORPORATION

Pasaderia, California, USA

Vehicle for transporting loads over bis

The present invention relates to a vehicle for transporting loads over bis. Preferably in the eye The case in point is the transport of equipment for the exploration and extraction of crude oil, natural gas and minerals in bis areas such as B. the northern one Slope of Alaska or the islands of the Canadian Arctic. In such areas the jobs are often only 2 months Accessible by sea and the use of aircraft throughout the year The rest of the time is problematic because of the limited space and weight capacity the same and the high transport costs.

So far these difficulties have arisen due to the climatic conditions and the great distances over which the Replenishment must be brought in, causing costs for the construction of drilling sites in such an amount that the Business ban or at least very questionable

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made appear lent. The present invention has one Suggestion on the content, how economically the large components for oil, gas and mineral extraction in ice areas can be transported and how the recovered products can be returned.

According to the invention, the proposed vehicle exists for transportation of loads over ice from at least one buoyancy hull submerged below the bislayer with propulsion and Control devices and with devices for adjusting its position relative to the underside of the ice sheet and from an emerged platform for lifting the loads with gullies provided on port and / or starboard with command center and crew rooms, with the platform supported by at least two pillars on each side with the Buoyancy hull or the buoyancy hulls is connected and at least the front pillars have a device on their front for chopping up the ice and for opening a fairway

In a preferred embodiment, there are two buoyancy hulls that are connected to one another.

It is useful to have the buoyancy hulls adjustable to connect hydrodynamic profile surfaces with each other.

The one between the buoyancy hull or hulls and the Supply lines necessary for the platform are expediently laid inside the columns »

It is also useful if each column can be adjusted their inclination during the Frihrt and to lower the l'latt-

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form for the purpose of loading and unloading pivotable on the buoyancy hull and platform is connected.

The loads can rest directly on the platform; however, it can also be useful to have a pallet on the platform to be provided, which in turn takes on the loads. The surface of the platform carrying the pallet has expediently Means for sliding the pallet on. These devices for sliding the pallet can Be rolling devices. These rolling devices can be designed to be retractable, which creates the possibility is, both pallets with their own rolling devices, ale as well To use pallets without their own rolling devices

The vehicle according to the invention expediently has monitoring devices for the movement of the buoyancy hull or the buoyancy hulls under the ice sheet. These facilities are e.g. B. TV cameras built into the buoyancy hull with headlights.

It is also useful that to adjust the position of the buoyancy hull or the buoyancy hull with respect to the lower side the ice layer are provided in these control channels, with your to the direction of travel one horizontal and one this intersecting vertical channel, which with means are provided for earnings in £ 5 of a control current, and where a A channel opening towards the front is provided that runs in the direction of flow iPt, the other end of which is at the intersection of the transverse v.-r continuously en cannula opens into this.

It is also advisable to use fuel in the buoyancy hulls; i, '; r <i- »~ vorr; j1."

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holder for liquid cargo. The individual containers are expediently separated from one another by flexible partitions.

In the following, the AxisfUhrungsbeispiele shown in the accompanying drawings are for further explanation of the invention described. Ss show

Pig. 1 View of a first embodiment of the vehicle with two buoyancy hulls, shown in motion in the ice;

Fig. 2 is a view of a second Atisführungform the vehicle with a buoyancy hull, shown in unloading a pallet from the vehicle onto the ice surface;

Fig. 3 Attitude control system for the lift hull or hulls

The invention consists essentially of a semi-submerged vehicle with one or more, e.g. B. with two Buoyancy hulls that have propulsion and control devices and that are fully submerged. The buoyancy hull or hulls support a platform above the ice sheet by means of pillars, the pillars preferably in the through the longitudinal and vertical axis defined plane of the vehicle can be pivoted. The front at least the front Pillar is equipped with devices for chopping the ice, creating a fairway in the for the pillars Ice layer is generated. The pillars are located on the starboard and port sides of the vehicle.

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230938Θ

Due to this training, the amount to open the fairway or the two fairways only required a fraction of the energy that a conventional bisbreaker consumes in terms of energy would, especially because the pillars are of comparatively small dimensions in the transverse direction and only these have to be moved through the ice sheet

The necessary superstructures for the crew and preferably also for the generation of the propulsion and actuation All other auxiliary equipment required energy is in superstructures on both sides or on one side port or starboard on the platform so that the middle part of the platform remains free to accommodate the loads The necessary lines between the buoyancy hull or hulls and the platform are laid in the columns

The platform itself carries the loads to be transported, e.g. B, the components or sections of the oil production plant, or it initially carries a pallet on which the loads are housed are.

The platform and / or pallet can be provided with rolling devices, which make it possible to move the pallet at the destination let the platform roll onto the ice · For this purpose, the platform is expediently swiveled the pillars lowered to the level of the ice surface

The embodiment of the vehicle 10 shown in FIG. 1 has two submerged buoyancy hulls 12, the buoyancy of which preferably set to be slightly above

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the total weight of the vehicle is »Die Aitfttriebsriimpfe are by means of hydrodynamic profiles 14 ″ and rods 28 tied together.

The hydrodynamic profiles 14 can be permanently attached or their angle of attack can be variable, whereby they can be used to determine the distance between the Influencing hulls from the under surface of the ice. Insofar as there are no hydrodynamic profiles or these are permanently attached, the aforementioned Purpose diving fins 1 5 can be used.

In FIG. 2 there is a vehicle with only one lifting hull 13 shown, which has diving fins 15 for the stated purpose.

The buoyancy hulls 12 or 13 contain a propulsion device 16, usually a propeller or a water turbine.

As far as two buoyancy hulls are used, changes of direction can be made caused by the fact that the propulsion of the propulsion device of a buoyancy hull opposite that of the other is changed. Otherwise, of course rudder 18 can also be used. When using only one buoyancy hull 13 as shown in FIG a rudder 18 can be provided.

Regardless of whether one or two buoyancy hulls are used, there are on top of the buoyancy hull or the Buoyancy hulls resilient bumper strips 23 are provided which

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represent protection when the top of the buoyancy hull comes into contact with the underside of the bislayer or during certain maneuvers deliberately brought to bear on the underside of the ice layer by increasing the buoyancy will.

In addition to the jacking machine, the buoyancy hulls contain 12 or the buoyancy hull 13 still carries the fuel, which through lines laid in the columns 24 to the machine units, e.g. B. in one of the structures 20 on the Platform 22 is directed.

The buoyancy hulls can also contain the water supply for the crew or also liquid or flowable cargo. The water, fuel and cargo compartments in the buoyancy hulls are expediently separated by flexible partition walls, so that compartments are created in the manner of volume-variable bubbles. In this way, water * Fuel or freight without impairment in accordance with consumption or discharge by sea water as Ballast can be replaced · In this way, the total lift of the vehicle can be kept approximately constant or adjusted to the required value during the entire mission profile.

As the main energy producer, its energy besides the rest Energy consumption on board also feeds the jacking machines, a gas turbine, a steam turbine, an internal combustion engine, a nuclear powered machine or the like. B. work on an electric generator "

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Gas turbines are likely to be most useful because of their simplicity.

As mentioned, this main energy generator is preferred on the platform 22, e.g. B. housed in the serving as a machine room structure 20. This is how air shafts are dispensable in the columns that would be required if energy generators were housed in the lift hull or hulls would be.

The energy supplied by the energy generator also feeds the tunneling machines also have the ice chopping devices 26 provided on the front of the pillars 24 are the means for pivoting the columns 24 to raise or lower the platform relative to the ice or the country as well as all other energy consumers.

Of the the buoyancy hull or the buoyancy hull with the Platform connecting pillars 24 are at least the front pillars in the direction of travel with devices for chopping of the ice. In the exemplary embodiments shown, however, all columns are equipped with such devices provided, because it can happen that the channel created by the front pillars freezes over again, before the rear pillars have also gone through.

The devices 26 for chopping the ice can e.g. Be of the type described in U.S. Patent 3,521,592. she preferably consist of a plurality of adjacent Ice hacking disks on two parallel shafts, which rotate in opposite directions,

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that the sis fragments on both sides of the column 24 be thrown away.

To avoid damage to the pillars 24 are those Sections that can be hit by debris are provided with an elastic XT cover or protected by a Glass fiber reinforced plastic cladding that throws back the fragments, who are still with. can be lined with a flexible or elastic material. The coating or the back lining can still be porous and Absorb water, which can increase the dampening effect.

With the devices 26 for chopping the ice, it is important to break the bis by chopping, because with this type less energy is used than when cutting the ice, for example.

In normal forward travel, pillars 24 are preferred inclined at an angle of 10 ° to about 45 ° relative to the vertical, whereby no uplift or downforce due to the work of the devices 26 for Chopping of the ice occur.

Like in Pig. 1, the pillars 24 are preferably pivoted about the connecting rods 28 and on the platform. In this way, the vertical distance between the platform 22 and the lift hull or hulls 12 or 13 can be changed which may become necessary due to changes in the layer thickness of the ice. In this way, the KLatform be kept above the surface of the ice while driving and at the destination on the ice or on the level of the land

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- ίο -

be lowered. It has already been mentioned that the energy for pivoting the pillars 24 by the main power generator is delivered in the superstructure 20 serving as the engine room. The hydraulic cylinders 30 are used to pivot the columns 24 driven.

It is also possible to replace the hydraulic cylinder 30 through a threaded spindle rod the rotation of which a nut is moved back and forth.

The crew of the vehicle is accommodated in cabin 32. This serves as the command center for the vehicle. Apart from the control devices, the car contains 32 at least radio equipment - an antenna is designated by 36 - and a radar device, the antenna of which is designated by 34 is.

The buoyancy hull or hulls are used to monitor the movement, in particular under the bislayer equipped with headlights 38 (Fig. 3) and television camera 40; an echo sounder is usually also provided.

As can further be seen in Figure 3, the bow of the buoyancy hull or hulls is provided with a recoil control system 42 provided, which consists of a horizontal control flow channel 44, a vertical control flow channel 46 and a Control flow channel 48 exists in the direction of travel to generate a reverse force. At least the control current channels 44 and 46 contain paddle wheels 50 or water turbines which can be driven in both directions of rotation as a means for generating of the control current. The control current channel 46 is used sum

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Lift and think of the vehicle, especially at low speeds, when the tread surfaces have little effectiveness to have.

The horizontal control flow channels 44 are used to generate side forces when maneuvering and are special an essential help when mooring.

The control flow channel 48 is used to generate a backward force to change the forward movement and as a brake. This Channel can have its own paddle wheel; however, the illustrated flap 52 is also sufficient. If all four paddle wheels are operated in the channels 44 and 46 so that the water is sucked into these channels from both ends, so it is pressed against the flap 52 which opens and allows exit through channel 48, creating the backward force is produced.

As already indicated above, it is also possible to accommodate the air-consuming energy generator (s) in the buoyancy hull or hulls, the air then passing through the columns must be supplied. However, this increases the dimensions of the buoyancy hulls and creates ventilation problems, Cooling and exhaust gas routing. The main power generator will therefore usually be housed on the platform.

In Fig. 1 and 2 with 54 is intended for receiving the cargo Designated the loading area of the platform 22. This area can also carry a pallet 56, which in turn carries the freight wearing. In Fig. 1, a part of a derrick is indicated as a cargo.

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As far as a pallet 56 is used, this can with own rollers 58 (Fig. 2) or (not shown) runners or the platform has rolling devices 60 (Fig. 1), by means of which the unloading of the pallet 56 is facilitated will.

In order to be able to load and unload both pallets with rollers 58 and pallets without such rollers, the roller devices 60 of the platform can be designed to be retractable.

2 shows how a pallet can be unloaded from the vehicle at the destination. In the case shown, the Pallet has its own rollers 58, by means of which the pallet is simply rolled from the vehicle onto the land or the ice surface after the platform has been lowered to the same level. This can be done by pivoting the columns 24 or by lowering the entire vehicle by reducing the lift or by means of the control flow channels 46.

In Fig. 1, a crane 62 is shown, which can be part of the permanent equipment of the vehicle or a pallet and is used to load and unload the loads.

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Claims (15)

EXPECTATIONS : 1. Vehicle for transporting loads over bis, characterized by at least one below the bis layer submerged buoyancy hull (12) with propulsion silo) and control devices (18) and devices to adjust its position relative to the underside of the bislayer and through an emerged platform (22) for Lifting of the loads with superstructures (20, 32) provided on port and / or starboard with command center and Crew rooms, the platform being supported by at least two columns (24) on each side with the buoyancy hull or is connected to the lift hulls and at least the front pillars have on their front side a device (26) for chopping the ice and opening a fairway. 2. Vehicle according to claim 1, characterized by two buoyancy hulls (12) connected to one another. 3. Vehicle according to claim 2, characterized in that the buoyancy hulls are connected to one another by adjustable hydrodynamic profile surfaces (14) are connected. 4. Vehicle according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that supply lines, services are misplaced. 309836/0493 5. Vehicle according to one or more of the preceding claims , characterized in that each column to adjust their Inclination while driving and for lowering the platform for the purpose of loading and unloading is pivotally connected to the buoyancy hull and platform. 6. Vehicle according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by a pallet (56) which carries the loads and is adapted to the area between the superstructures (20, 32). 7. Vehicle according to claim 6, characterized in that the surface of the platform supporting the pallet has means for G-guiding the pallet having, 8. Vehicle according to claim 7, characterized in that the devices for G-directing the pallet rolling devices (60) are. 9. Vehicle according to claim 8, characterized in that the rolling devices (60) are retractable. 10. Vehicle according to one or more of claims 6 Ms 9 » characterized in that the pallet (56) rolls (58) for movement across the ice surface. 11. Vehicle according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by monitoring devices (38, 40) for the movement of the buoyancy hull (13) or the buoyancy 309836/0493 hulls (12) under the layer of ice. 12. Vehicle according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that to adjust the position of the buoyancy hull or the buoyancy hulls relative to the Underside of the ice layer in these control flow channels (44, 46, 48) are provided, being transverse to the direction of travel a horizontal (44) and this intersecting vertical channel (46) runs, which with means (50) for Generating a control current are provided, and wherein a running in the direction of travel, opening to the front channel (48) is provided, the other end of which opens into the crossover point of the transverse channels 13 · Vehicle according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by fuel and water reservoirs in the buoyancy hulls. 14. Vehicle according to one or more of the preceding claims , characterized by containers for free-flowing goods in the buoyancy hulls. 15. Vehicle according to claims 13 and / or 14, characterized in that the containers are formed in the buoyancy hulls by flexible partitions.