Nothing Special   »   [go: up one dir, main page]

WO2022189753A1 - Method for assembling a sealing membrane of a wall of a tank - Google Patents

Method for assembling a sealing membrane of a wall of a tank Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO2022189753A1
WO2022189753A1 PCT/FR2022/050420 FR2022050420W WO2022189753A1 WO 2022189753 A1 WO2022189753 A1 WO 2022189753A1 FR 2022050420 W FR2022050420 W FR 2022050420W WO 2022189753 A1 WO2022189753 A1 WO 2022189753A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
metal plate
wall
during
welding
construction tool
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/FR2022/050420
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Michaël BIDENBACH
Jean-Baptiste Hubert
Nicolas LAURAIN
Original Assignee
Gaztransport Et Technigaz
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Gaztransport Et Technigaz filed Critical Gaztransport Et Technigaz
Priority to CN202280020759.9A priority Critical patent/CN117083145A/en
Priority to KR1020237031808A priority patent/KR20230157361A/en
Publication of WO2022189753A1 publication Critical patent/WO2022189753A1/en

Links

Classifications

    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B23MACHINE TOOLS; METAL-WORKING NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B23KSOLDERING OR UNSOLDERING; WELDING; CLADDING OR PLATING BY SOLDERING OR WELDING; CUTTING BY APPLYING HEAT LOCALLY, e.g. FLAME CUTTING; WORKING BY LASER BEAM
    • B23K31/00Processes relevant to this subclass, specially adapted for particular articles or purposes, but not covered by only one of the preceding main groups
    • B23K31/02Processes relevant to this subclass, specially adapted for particular articles or purposes, but not covered by only one of the preceding main groups relating to soldering or welding
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B23MACHINE TOOLS; METAL-WORKING NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B23KSOLDERING OR UNSOLDERING; WELDING; CLADDING OR PLATING BY SOLDERING OR WELDING; CUTTING BY APPLYING HEAT LOCALLY, e.g. FLAME CUTTING; WORKING BY LASER BEAM
    • B23K37/00Auxiliary devices or processes, not specially adapted to a procedure covered by only one of the preceding main groups
    • B23K37/02Carriages for supporting the welding or cutting element
    • B23K37/0211Carriages for supporting the welding or cutting element travelling on a guide member, e.g. rail, track
    • B23K37/0217Carriages for supporting the welding or cutting element travelling on a guide member, e.g. rail, track the guide member being fixed to the workpiece
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B23MACHINE TOOLS; METAL-WORKING NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B23KSOLDERING OR UNSOLDERING; WELDING; CLADDING OR PLATING BY SOLDERING OR WELDING; CUTTING BY APPLYING HEAT LOCALLY, e.g. FLAME CUTTING; WORKING BY LASER BEAM
    • B23K37/00Auxiliary devices or processes, not specially adapted to a procedure covered by only one of the preceding main groups
    • B23K37/02Carriages for supporting the welding or cutting element
    • B23K37/0264Carriages for supporting the welding or cutting element magnetically attached to the workpiece
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B23MACHINE TOOLS; METAL-WORKING NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B23KSOLDERING OR UNSOLDERING; WELDING; CLADDING OR PLATING BY SOLDERING OR WELDING; CUTTING BY APPLYING HEAT LOCALLY, e.g. FLAME CUTTING; WORKING BY LASER BEAM
    • B23K37/00Auxiliary devices or processes, not specially adapted to a procedure covered by only one of the preceding main groups
    • B23K37/02Carriages for supporting the welding or cutting element
    • B23K37/0282Carriages forming part of a welding unit
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B23MACHINE TOOLS; METAL-WORKING NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B23KSOLDERING OR UNSOLDERING; WELDING; CLADDING OR PLATING BY SOLDERING OR WELDING; CUTTING BY APPLYING HEAT LOCALLY, e.g. FLAME CUTTING; WORKING BY LASER BEAM
    • B23K37/00Auxiliary devices or processes, not specially adapted to a procedure covered by only one of the preceding main groups
    • B23K37/04Auxiliary devices or processes, not specially adapted to a procedure covered by only one of the preceding main groups for holding or positioning work
    • B23K37/0426Fixtures for other work
    • B23K37/0435Clamps
    • B23K37/0443Jigs
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B23MACHINE TOOLS; METAL-WORKING NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B23KSOLDERING OR UNSOLDERING; WELDING; CLADDING OR PLATING BY SOLDERING OR WELDING; CUTTING BY APPLYING HEAT LOCALLY, e.g. FLAME CUTTING; WORKING BY LASER BEAM
    • B23K2101/00Articles made by soldering, welding or cutting
    • B23K2101/04Tubular or hollow articles
    • B23K2101/12Vessels
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B23MACHINE TOOLS; METAL-WORKING NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B23KSOLDERING OR UNSOLDERING; WELDING; CLADDING OR PLATING BY SOLDERING OR WELDING; CUTTING BY APPLYING HEAT LOCALLY, e.g. FLAME CUTTING; WORKING BY LASER BEAM
    • B23K2101/00Articles made by soldering, welding or cutting
    • B23K2101/18Sheet panels

Definitions

  • 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.
  • each of the layers comprises a thermally insulating barrier carrying a waterproof membrane.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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 used to weld the second plate to the first plate.
  • a first drawback of this assembly 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 plate. metallic.
  • 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.
  • the invention proposes a solution responding to the various drawbacks mentioned above.
  • the invention relates more particularly to a method using one and the same tool for, on the one hand, positioning the metal plate against the wall of the tank and, on the other hand, fixing the metal plate by welding to at least one anchoring of the wall. of the tank.
  • the main subject of the present invention is a method for assembling a waterproofing membrane on an insulating mass of a wall of a tank by means of a construction tool comprising a frame carrying at least one gripping device and a welding, the sealing membrane comprising at least one metal plate, the method comprising: a step of gripping the metal plate via the gripping device of the construction tool, a step of positioning the metal plate against the insulating mass of the wall of the vessel, a step of pushing the metal plate against the insulating mass of the wall of the vessel, and at least one step of welding the metal plate on the insulating mass of the wall of the vessel through the welding device of the construction tool.
  • the construction tool comprises both the gripping device, making it possible to temporarily attach the metal plate to the construction tool, and the welding involved in fixing the metal plate against the insulating mass of the wall of the tank.
  • the construction tool is thus able not only to pick up and move the metal plate towards the insulating mass of the wall of the tank, but also to fix the metal plate to the wall of the tank by welding.
  • the construction tool intervenes in each of the stages of the process to take the metal plate from its storage space, bring it and position it on the insulating mass of the wall of the vessel, press it against the insulating block and weld it to the insulating block.
  • the assembly of the sealing membrane is carried out by mounting several metal plates arranged according to the method of the invention against the insulating mass of the wall of the tank.
  • the metal plate is made integral with the construction tool, in particular by the gripping device. It is the gripping device that keeps the metal plate attached to the construction tool throughout the process.
  • the gripping device is for example mechanical, by magnetization, by suction cup effect or by ephemeral welding.
  • the metal plate comprises two main extension faces, the gripping device, during the gripping step, being in contact only with one of the main extension faces of the metal plate. This then facilitates the positioning of the metal plate against the insulating mass while allowing the subsequent pushing step to be carried out.
  • the positioning step corresponds on the one hand to the movement of the metal plate from its storage location towards the insulating block and on the other hand to the positioning of the metal plate against the insulating block of the wall of the vessel, in particular to position the metal plate opposite the anchoring that the insulating block comprises, but also to position the plate with respect to the metal plates already fixed on the insulating block.
  • the pushing step makes it possible to press the metal plate against the insulating block to facilitate the welding of the metal plate to the insulating block which takes place during the welding step.
  • the welding step corresponds to the moment when the welding device fixes the metal plate against the insulating mass of the wall of the vessel, making the metal plate integral with the insulating mass.
  • Such a welding step aims at an operation of tacking the metal plate on the anchoring points of the insulating mass, on which is anchored at least one metal plate constituting the sealing membrane, this pointing operation being prior to a peripheral welding operation of the metal plate.
  • the metal plate comprises at least one wave
  • the gripping device comprising a jaw movable between a free position and a gripping position, a process during which, during the gripping step, the construction tool positions the gripping device at the level of the wave of the metal plate, the jaw passing from the free position to the gripping position to make the metal plate integral with the frame of the construction tool.
  • At least one first wave and at least one second wave each extend along a direction perpendicular to the direction along which the other wave extends, the first wave and the second wave crossing to form a node, in which process, during the gripping step, the construction tool positions the gripper at the node of the metal plate, the jaw moving from the free position to the gripping position to secure the metal plate to the frame of the construction tool.
  • the metal plate comprises at least one flat surface
  • the gripping device comprising a suction cup
  • the first wave and at least the second wave each extending along a direction perpendicular to the direction along which the other wave extends can participate in delimiting the flat surface of the metal plate.
  • the gripping device comprising an electromagnetic element, a method during which, during the gripping step, the construction tool positions the gripping device at the flat surface of the plate metal, the electromagnetic element generating a magnetic field capable of securing the metal plate to the frame of the construction tool.
  • the construction tool is carried by a construction device, a method during which, during the positioning step, the construction device moves the construction tool and the metal plate towards the insulating mass of the vessel wall.
  • the construction device comprises at least one displacement member, a method during which, during the positioning step, the construction device moves by means of its displacement member, carrying in its movement the construction tool and the metal plate.
  • the insulating mass of the wall of the vessel comprises at least one anchor, the metal plate comprising at least one zone to be welded, a process during which, during the positioning step, the construction tool positions the metal plate against the insulating mass of the wall of the tank so that the zone to be welded of the metal plate is superimposed on the anchoring of the insulating mass of the wall of the tank.
  • Anchoring means a metal bar integral with the insulating block of the wall of the vessel and intended to receive the welding of the metal plate.
  • the construction tool comprises a pushing device, the construction tool comprising a means allowing movement of the pushing device and/or of the welding device with respect to the frame, the plate metal comprising at least one zone to be welded to the insulating mass of the wall of the vessel, method during which, during the pushing step, the means allowing movement of the pushing device and/or of the welding device with respect to the frame moves this pushing device and/or this welding device close to the zone to be welded of the metal plate.
  • “Nearby” means that the means positions the pushing device and/or the welding device with respect to the zone to be welded, so that the pushing device and/or the welding device and the zone to be welded are to be aligned along a direction substantially perpendicular to the main extension plane of the metal plate.
  • the pushing device exerts a force against the metal wall at the level of the zone to be welded, the force being exerted in a pushing direction substantially perpendicular to a map main extension of the metal wall.
  • the zone to be welded takes the form of a slot along which the welding device moves to operate a weld between the metal plate and the insulating block during the welding step. It is understood that the welding device moves along the shape that the slot takes during the welding step.
  • the weld made by the welding device is performed between the slot of the metal plate and an anchoring of the insulating mass.
  • the welding device comprises at least one torch, a process during which, during the welding step, the torch performs a weld connecting the area to be welded of the metal plate to the anchor of the insulating mass of the wall of the tank.
  • the welding device comprises at least one element for moving the torch relative to the pushing device, a method during which, during the welding step, the torch is moved by the displacement element along the area to be welded.
  • the displacement element moves the torch according to a profile homothetic to a profile of the zone to be welded. In other words, if the area to be welded is a straight slot, then the profile is a straight line.
  • the weld produced by the torch makes the metal plate integral with the insulating mass of the wall of the vessel, the welding device being movable along the element displacement during the welding of the zone to be welded of the metal plate.
  • the welding device comprises at least one element for translation of the torch relative to the pushing device, a process during which, during the welding step, the translation element adapts the position of the torch along a direction substantially perpendicular to a main plane of extension of the metal plate.
  • the translation element refines the position of the torch relative to the metal plate along a direction substantially parallel to the direction of thrust, the translation element being configured to allow movement of 1 to 5 millimeters of the torch for example in order to adjust the height of the welding device formed during the welding step.
  • the translation element adapts the position of the torch, along the direction of thrust, relative to the zone to be welded throughout the duration during which the torch welds the metal plate to the insulating mass at the level of the zone to be welded. solder.
  • the method comprises a separation step during which the construction tool separates from the metal plate.
  • the construction tool comprises a translation member arranged at the level of an arm of the frame carrying at its free end the gripping device, method comprising a step of approaching or distancing during which the translation member brings the gripping device closer to or further from the frame.
  • the construction tool comprises a plurality of joints and a plurality of cylinders, a method during which, during the positioning step, the plurality of joints orients the metal plate so that a main extension plane of the metal plate extends parallel to a general extension plane of the insulating mass of the wall of the vessel, the plurality of jacks pushing the metal plate against the insulating mass of the wall of the tank.
  • the wall of the tank comprises at least a first metal plate, the construction tool bearing a second metal plate, each of the metal plates extending in a main extension plane and having a rectangular shape, in which process, during the positioning step, the construction tool positions the second metal plate with respect to the first metal plate previously installed on the wall of the vessel so that an edge of the second metal plate overlaps an edge of the first metal plate.
  • FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of a gripping step of a method according to the invention
  • FIG. 2 is a representation in perspective of cooperation between a gripping device and a metal plate during the gripping step of the method according to FIG. 1;
  • FIG. 3 is a representation in perspective of a construction device carrying a construction tool and a metal plate during a metal plate positioning step of the method according to the invention;
  • FIG. 4 is a representation in perspective of the positioning of the metal plate against an insulating mass of a wall of a tank by the construction tool during the positioning step of the method shown in Figure 3;
  • FIG. 5 is a schematic representation of a step of pushing a metal plate against an insulating mass of a wall of a vessel according to the method of the invention
  • FIG. 6 is a schematic representation of the displacement of a means of displacement of a welding device and of a device for pushing the construction tool during the pushing step of the method represented in FIG. 5;
  • FIG. 7 is a representation in perspective of a step of welding a metal plate to an insulating mass of a wall of a vessel by a device for welding a construction tool of the method according to the invention.
  • variants 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.
  • 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.
  • the present invention relates to a method for assembling a sealing membrane of a wall of a tank from a plurality of metal plates 1 and by means of a construction tool 2 comprising a frame 4 carrying at least one device grip 6 and a welding device 8, the construction tool 2 and the plurality of metal plates 1 being particularly visible in Figure 1.
  • This figure 1 illustrates the construction tool 2 involved in the method of assembling the wall of a sealed and thermally insulating storage tank intended to contain a cryogenic fluid.
  • a storage tank is intended to be installed, for example, on a ship of transport of the cryogenic fluid in an onshore vessel.
  • the vessel is designed to store cryogenic fluid in liquid form, that is to say at a temperature equal to or less than ⁇ 163° C. for example.
  • a fluid is for example liquefied natural gas (LNG).
  • At least one wall of the vessel is composed of a first layer in contact with the cryogenic fluid and, for example, of a second layer surrounding the first layer.
  • all of the walls of the tank are composed of the first layer and the second layer.
  • At least the first layer is composed of a thermally insulating barrier and a sealing membrane intended to be in contact with the cryogenic fluid, and resting against the thermally insulating barrier.
  • 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.
  • the waterproofing membrane of the first layer is composed of a plurality of metal plates 1 assembled next to each other, against the thermally insulating barrier of the first layer.
  • the primary thermally insulating barrier of the first layer forms an insulating mass 14 of the wall of the vessel on which is mounted the plurality of metal plates 1 to form the sealing membrane of the first layer of the vessel wall.
  • the insulating mass 14 is formed on the one hand by the primary thermally insulating barrier and by the second layer of the wall of the vessel.
  • the method according to the present invention thus relates more particularly to the mounting of the plurality of metal plates 1 against the insulating mass 14 of the wall of the vessel.
  • the method comprises at least one step of gripping a metal plate 1 by means of the gripping device 6 of the construction tool 2, a step of positioning the metal plate 1 against the insulating mass 14 of the wall of the vessel, a step of pushing the metal plate 1 against this insulating mass 14, and at least one step of welding the metal plate 1 to the insulating mass 14 of the wall of the vessel via of the welding device 8 of the construction tool 2.
  • the construction tool 2 intervenes in each of the steps of the method, and that a single and unique construction tool 2 is necessary to move, position, push and fix the metal plate 1 on the insulating mass 14 of the wall of the vessel .
  • certain steps of the method can be carried out simultaneously.
  • the step of gripping the metal plate 1 by the construction tool 2 is carried out first, the step of positioning said metal plate 1 against the insulating block 14 of the wall of the vessel by the construction 2 is then carried out following the gripping step, then the step of pushing the metal plate 1 against the insulating mass 14 of the wall of the vessel is carried out following the positioning step, and finally, the step of welding the metal plate 1 to the insulating block 14 is finally carried out following the pushing step.
  • the welding step and the pushing step can be implemented simultaneously.
  • the method comprises, as a reminder, the step of gripping a metal plate 1 by means of the gripping device 6 of the construction tool 2. It is understood that, during this gripping step, the gripping device 6 attaches the metal plate 1 to the construction tool 2. In other words, the construction tool 2 grabs the metal plate 1 via the gripping device 6.
  • the metal plate 1 comprises at least two opposite main extension faces with respect to each other, the gripping device 6, during the gripping step, being in contact only with the one of the main extension faces of the metal plate 1.
  • This advantage of the invention then facilitates the positioning of the metal plate 1 against the insulating block 14 while making it possible to then carry out the pushing step, then the step of welding. It is understood that the gripping device 6 thus makes it possible to be able to position the metal plate 1 plane on plane against the insulating mass 14.
  • the construction tool 2 comprises the frame 4 and at least the gripping device 6 configured to take at least one metal plate 1 intended to form the wall of the storage tank.
  • the frame 4 is an infrastructure of the construction tool 2 carrying the gripping device 6. It is understood here that the device for handle 6 is secured to the frame 4 and that, for example when the handle device 6 takes a metal plate 1, the movement of the frame 4 causes the movement of the handle device 6 and of the metal plate 1.
  • the frame 4 comprises a frame 16 and at least one arm 18 extending along a direction transverse to the plane in which the frame 16 extends.
  • the frame 4 comprises a plurality of arms 18 extending transversely relative to the plane in which the frame 16 extends and in the same direction.
  • the frame 16 may for example comprise two longitudinal beams each extending along a direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal direction L, and two transverse beams extending between the two longitudinal beams each along a direction substantially parallel to the transverse direction T.
  • the longitudinal and transverse beams constituting the frame 16 take on a generally rectangular shape.
  • the frame 16 may for example comprise a single beam extending along the longitudinal direction L.
  • At least one arm 18 comprises at least one articulation 20 arranged between arm 18 and frame 16. More specifically, articulation 20 is arranged between one end of arm 18 and frame 16.
  • articulation 20 is composed a ball joint carried by the arm 18 and a substantially spherical housing cooperating with the ball joint, the housing being carried by the frame 16, the ball joint of the arm 18 being received in the housing carried by the frame 16.
  • the frame 16 which carries the ball joint, the arm 18 carrying the housing.
  • the frame 4 comprises a link 22 extending between one end of the arm 18 and the frame 16, the link 22 making the arm 18 integral with the frame 16.
  • the frame 16 and the arm 18 each comprise a ball joint, the link 22 comprising two housings each disposed at one end of the link 22.
  • Each of the housings of the link 22 cooperates with the ball joint of the arm 18 or the ball joint of the frame 16.
  • the link 22 offers a certain flexibility in the positioning of the gripping device 6 on the node 12 of the metal plate 1.
  • the frame 16 and the arm 18 each carry a housing for a ball joint, the link 22 comprising two ball joints, each ball joint cooperating with one of the housings of the frame 16 or of the arm 18.
  • the frame 4 comprises a link 22 between each arm 18 of the plurality of arms 18 and the frame 16, the link 22 being able to be produced according to any one of the alternatives described above.
  • each arm 18 is movable independently of the other arms 18, which offers a certain play in the positioning of the gripping devices 6.
  • At least one arm 18 carries at a free end the gripping device 6. More particularly, the gripping device 6 is carried by the arm 18 so that the arm 18 extends between the gripping device 6 and the frame 16 or the link 22.
  • each arm 18 of the plurality of arms 18 of the frame 4 carries a gripping device 6 at their free ends.
  • the construction tool 2 also comprises the welding device 8 and a pushing device 24 configured to exert pressure against the metal plate 1.
  • Each metal plate 1 is secured to the adjacent metal plates 1 by welding, this welding being carried out by the welding device 8 of the construction tool 2.
  • the thrust device 24 of the construction tool 2 is capable of exerting pressure close to an area to be welded 26.
  • the welding device 8 is connected to the frame 4 by means 28 allowing movement of said welding device 8 relative to the frame 4, in at least one direction. It is understood that the means 28 makes it possible to move the welding device 8 along at least one direction with respect to the frame 4, that is to say that the movement of the welding device 8 with respect to the frame 4 is independent the movement of the frame 4.
  • the pushing device 24 is also connected to the frame 4 by the means 28 allowing movement of the welding device 8 relative to the frame 4. It is understood here that the welding device 8 and the pushing device 24 are both carried by the means 28 allowing the movement of the welding device 8 relative to the frame 4.
  • the means 28 therefore causes, on the one hand, the movement of the welding device 8 relative to the frame 4, but also the displacement of the pushing device 24 relative to the frame 4, in a manner similar to that which has been described for the welding device 8.
  • the means 28 moves the welding device 8 and the pushing device 24 simultaneously, c that is, when means 28 moves welding device 8 along at least one direction, means 28 also moves pushing device 24 along the same direction.
  • the metal plates 1 are for example stored by being stacked on top of each other.
  • the metal plate 1 located at the top of the stack of the plurality of metal plates 1 is for example made integral with the construction tool 2 via the gripping device 6.
  • the metal plate 1 comprises at least one flat surface 30, that is to say a surface extending mainly in one plane.
  • the metal plate 1 comprises at least one first wave 10a extending mainly along a direction parallel to the plane in which the flat surface 30 is inscribed.
  • metal plate 1 comprises at least one second wave 10b extending mainly along a direction perpendicular to the direction along which the first wave 10a extends and parallel to the plane in which the flat surface 30 is inscribed It is understood from this that the first wave 10a and the second wave 10b participate in forming a node 12 when they cross, the node 12 taking the form of a cross whose branches extend perpendicularly to one another. other.
  • the metal plate 1 comprises a plurality of waves 10 extending of which a first part of the waves 10 extends parallel to each other and a second part of the waves 10 extending perpendicularly to the first part of waves 10.
  • the plurality of waves 10 participate in forming a plurality of nodes 12 similar to that which has been described above.
  • the gripping device 6 cooperates for example with at least one wave 10 of the metal plate 1 to make it integral with the construction tool 2 during the gripping step.
  • the gripping device 6 comprises for example a jaw 32 movable between a free position and a gripping position, the jaw 32 moving from the free position to the gripping position to secure the metal plate 1 to the frame 4 of the construction tool 2. More precisely, by its movement between these two positions, the jaw 32 is able to temporarily secure the plate metal 1 of construction tool 2.
  • the jaw 32 is here composed of at least two blocks 34 movable along a gripping direction A perpendicular to the direction of extension of the arm 18. It is understood that the blocks 34 can approach and s away from each other along the gripping direction A.
  • the two blocks 34 are thus movable between two positions: a first position, called the free position, in which the two blocks 34 are furthest apart on the other, and a second position, called the gripping position, in which the two blocks 34 are closest to each other.
  • a first distance measured between the two blocks 34 when they are in the free position is greater than a second distance measured between the two blocks 34 when they are in the gripping position, each of these two distances being measured along the grip direction A.
  • the two blocks 34 participate in defining a groove intended to cooperate with a wave 10 or a node 12 of the metal plate 1.
  • the two blocks 34 delimit the groove in particular when the two blocks 34 are in the gripping position.
  • the groove takes a generally complementary shape to the wave 10 or the node 12 of the metal plate 1 so that the gripping device 6 can exert pressure against the surfaces of the wave 10 or the node 12 of the metal plate 1 , making it possible to catch the metal plate 1.
  • the gripping device 6 cooperates for example with at least one flat surface 30 of the metal plate 1 to make it integral with the construction tool 2 during the grasping stage.
  • the construction tool 2 is positioned relative to the metal plate 1 so that the gripping device 6 faces the flat surface 30 of the metal plate 1, the gripping device 6 comprising a suction cup 21 cooperating with the flat surface 30 of metal plate 1 to secure metal plate 1 to construction tool 2.
  • suction cup 21 is capable of temporarily securing metal plate 1 to construction tool 2.
  • the gripping device 6 comprises an electromagnetic element generating a magnetic field capable of securing the metal plate 1 to the frame 4.
  • the magnetic element of the gripping device 6 generates a magnetic field intense enough to attract the metal plate 1 against the gripping device 6 and thus make the metal plate 1 integral with the construction tool 2.
  • the gripping device 6 is for example first of all positioned at the level of a flat surface 30 of the metal plate 1. The electromagnetic element then generates an electromagnetic field so as to attract and secure the metal plate 1 to the gripping device 6, and more generally of the construction tool 2.
  • the construction tool 2 is first positioned with respect to the metal plate 1, so as to bring the gripping device 6 and a wave 10 , a node 12 and/or a flat surface 30 of metal plate 1, depending on whether the gripping device 6 comprises a jaw 32 or a suction cup 21. After this positioning of the construction tool 2 relative to the metal plate 1, the gripping device 6 is used to secure the metal plate 1 to the construction tool 2.
  • the gripping device 6 comprises a jaw 32
  • the gripping device 6 is first of all positioned opposite a wave 10 or a node 12 of the metal plate 1, the jaw 32 being advantageously in the free position at this point in the step.
  • the jaw 32 In the case where the jaw 32 is in the gripping position when the gripping device 6 is positioned facing the wave 10 or the node 12 of the metal plate 1, the jaw 32 passes from the gripping position to the position free to then be able to grab the wave 10 or the node 12 of the metal plate 1.
  • the gripping device 6 is correctly positioned at the level of the wave 10 or the node 12 of the metal plate 1, the jaw 32 passes from the free position to the grip position.
  • the two blocks 34 forming the jaw 32 approach each other along the gripping direction A.
  • the jaw 32 exerts pressure on the surface of the wave 10 or the node 12, and which, by this exerted pressure, makes the metal plate 1 integral with the construction tool 2.
  • the gripping device 6 comprises a suction cup 21
  • the gripping device 6 is first of all positioned opposite the flat surface 30 of the metal plate 1. Once the gripping device 6 is correctly positioned, the suction cup 21 exerts pressure on the flat surface 30 of the metal plate 1 so as to make the metal plate 1 integral with the construction tool 2.
  • the gripping device 6 can also take a form other than that described above without departing from the scope of the invention, as long as the gripping device 6 makes it possible to temporarily attach the metal plate 1 to the tool. building 2.
  • the method includes a step of positioning the metal plate 1 during which the construction tool 2 moves the metal plate 1 and positions it correctly on the insulating mass 14 of the wall of the vessel.
  • This positioning step is facilitated in particular by the gripping of the metal plate 1 by the gripping tool 6 only on one of the main extension faces of the metal plate 1.
  • the construction tool 2 is carried by a construction device 36.
  • the latter comprises a frame 38 carrying a mast 40 at the end of which the construction tool is fixed.
  • construction 2 the welding device of the construction tool 2 being connected to a welding station 42 carried by the frame 38.
  • the welding station 42 is arranged on the frame 38, the mast 40 is fixed at one of its ends to the frame 38, the construction tool 2 being arranged at another end of the mast 40, opposite the frame 38. It is thus understood that the welding station 42 is installed at a distance from the construction tool 2.
  • the construction apparatus 36 comprises a cable 44 connecting the welding station 42 to the welding device 8 arranged at the level of the construction tool 2, the cable 44 extending at least partly along the mast 40.
  • the construction device 36 moves the construction tool 2 and the metal plate 1 towards the insulating mass 14 of the wall of the vessel.
  • the frame 38 includes a displacement member 46, such as pairs of wheels allowing the construction device 36 to be able to circulate on a surface.
  • a displacement member 46 such as pairs of wheels allowing the construction device 36 to be able to circulate on a surface.
  • the construction device 36 can move from a space where the plurality of metal plates 1 are stored, allowing the construction tool 2 to grab one of the metal plates 1 and then move the tool construction 2 carrying the metal plate 1 towards the insulating mass 14 of the wall of the tank where the metal plate 1 can be positioned and fixed.
  • the mast 40 comprises a plurality of cylinders 48 and a plurality of joints 49 making the construction tool 2 movable along several directions.
  • the plurality of joints 49 can be as described above by being a cooperation between a ball joint received in a housing, or even a rod offering a certain flexibility in the positioning of the various components of the mast 40.
  • the construction device 36 is capable of moving the construction tool 2 and the metal plate 1 from the space where the plurality of metal plates 1 are stored towards the insulating mass 14 of the wall of the tank.
  • the construction device 36 moves from the space where the plurality of metal plates 1 are stored towards the insulating block 14 of the wall of the vessel by means of the moving member 46.
  • the mast 40 orients the frame 4, driving the metal plate 1 in its movement, so as to correctly position the metal plate 1 against the insulating mass 14 from the tank wall.
  • the plurality of joints 49 of the mast 40 of the construction apparatus 36 orient the metal plate 1 so that a main extension plane of the metal plate 1 extends parallel to an extension plane general of the insulating block 14 of the wall of the tank, the plurality of cylinders 48 for its part pushing the metal plate 1 against the insulating block 14 of the wall of the tank. More particularly, and as can be seen in FIG. 4, the construction tool 2 positions the metal plate 1 with respect to the insulating block 14 of the wall of the vessel.
  • the metal plate 1 is intended to be welded to the insulating mass 14 of the wall of the vessel, the zones intended to be welded of the metal plate 1 must therefore be positioned at the level of the zones intended to be welded of the insulating mass 14 from the wall of the tank.
  • the main extension face opposite the main extension face in contact with the device for gripping the metal plate 1 which is positioned against the insulating mass 14.
  • the zones intended to be welded of the metal plate 1 are for example zones to be welded 26 taking the form of a slot extending through the metal plate 1. » an opening extending mainly along one direction and made through the metal plate 1, the slot having a greater length than its width, the length being measured along a direction perpendicular to a direction along which is the width measured.
  • the length of the slot forming the zone 26 to be welded may for example be between 40 and 100 millimeters. However, a slot 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.
  • the areas intended to be welded to the insulating mass 14 of the wall of the vessel are for example anchors 52 taking the form of metal boards previously fixed to the insulating mass 14 of the wall of the vessel upstream of the assembly process.
  • the construction device 36 orients the construction tool 2 so that the areas to be welded 26 of the metal plate 1 carried by the construction tool 2 are aligned with the anchors 52 of the insulating mass 14 from the wall of the tank.
  • the plurality of joints 49 and cylinders 48 of the mast 40 of the construction device 36 orients and positions the construction tool 2 so that the areas to be welded 26 of the metal plate 1 are positioned opposite the anchors 52 distributed on the insulating mass 14 of the wall of the tank.
  • the construction tool 2 in particular thanks to the joints 20 connecting each arm 18 to the frame 16 of the frame 4, refines the orientation of the metal plate 1 with respect to the anchors 52 of the insulating block 14 of the wall of the vessel.
  • the construction tool 2 and the metal plate 1 are moved towards the insulating mass 14 of the wall of the vessel thanks to the displacement member 46 of the construction device 36.
  • the metal plate 1 is positioned relative to the insulating block 14 of the wall of the tank by the joints 20 of the frame 4 of the construction tool 2 and by the plurality of joints 49 and cylinders 48 of the mast 40 of the device construction 36 so that the areas to be welded 26 of the metal plate 1 are aligned with the anchors 52 of the insulating block 14.
  • the metal plate 1 is positioned so that the areas to be welded 26 cover the anchors 52 of the insulating mass 14 of the wall of the tank.
  • the insulating mass 14 may comprise a device for indexing the metal plate 1.
  • the insulating mass comprises for example at least one groove, the indexing device comprising at least one nipple configured to be housed in the groove of the insulating mass 14.
  • the indexing device comprising a body generally taking the shape of a hemisphere and from which emerges the nipple of the indexing device. The body is configured to be able to be housed in a wave 10 of the metal plate 1. It is understood from this that, before the positioning step, the indexing device is placed on the groove of the insulating block, the positioning of the device indexing being carried out so as to correctly position the metal plate 1 against the insulating mass 14. Then, during the positioning step, the metal plate 1 is placed relative on the one hand to the indexing device, by housing the body of the indexing device in a wave 10 of the metal plate 1, and on the other hand to the anchors 52 of the insulating mass 14.
  • the construction tool 2 comprises the pushing device 24 and the means 28 allowing movement of the pushing device 24 and of the welding device 8 with respect to the frame 4.
  • the pushing device 24 is configured to exert pressure against the metal plate 1, and more particularly near a zone to be welded 26 of the plate metal 1. More precisely, the thrust device 24 generates a force close to the zone to be welded 26, and advantageously partially around said zone to be welded 26, to optimize the weld produced by the welding device 8 at the level of the zone weld 26 of the metal plate 1 and the anchor 52 of the insulating block 14 of the wall of the tank.
  • the means 28 allow the displacement of the pushing device 24 and/or of the welding device 8 at least along one direction relative to the frame 4, that is to say that the displacement of the welding device 8 relative to the frame 4 is independent of the movement of the frame 4. It is understood here that the welding device 8 and the pushing device 24 are both carried by the means 28 allowing the movement of the welding device 8 relative to the frame 4.
  • the means 28 therefore causes, on the one hand, the movement of the welding device 8 with respect to the frame 4, but also the movement of the pushing device 24 with respect to the frame 4.
  • the means 28 moves the welding device 8 and the pushing device 24 simultaneously, that is to say that when the means 28 moves the welding device 8 along at least one direction, the means 28 also moves the pushing device 24 along the same direction.
  • the means 28 allowing movement of the welding device 8 and the pushing device 24 relative to the frame 4 comprises at least one rail 54 secured to at least one arm 18 of the frame 4, the means 28 being configured to allow movement of the welding device 8 along a main direction of extension of the rail 54. It is understood that the welding device 8 and the pushing device 24 are movable along this main direction of extension of the rail 54.
  • the rail 54 is integral with a plurality of arms 18 of the frame 16. The main direction of extension of the rail 54 extends parallel to the plane in which the frame 16 fits of frame 4.
  • the means 28 allowing movement of the welding device 8 relative to the frame 4 comprises at least one platform 56 which extends between the frame 16 and the gripping device 6, the means 28 being configured to allow movement of platform 56 in at least two intersecting directions contained in the same plane.
  • the welding device 8 and the pushing device 24 are carried by the platform 56 and movable along these two intersecting directions contained in the same plane.
  • the frame 4 comprises at least one rail 58, and advantageously a pair of rails 58, extending along a direction of movement B, the platform 56 being movable along the rail 58, and/or the pair of rails 58, as well as along the direction of movement B.
  • This rail 58, and/or this pair of rails 58, is connected to the frame 16 of the frame 4 by a sliding connection 60, so as to make the rail 58 and/or the pair of rails 58 movable along a slide direction C secant to the direction of movement B, the slide direction C being parallel to the plane in which the frame 16 is inscribed and being advantageously perpendicular with respect to direction of travel B.
  • the means 28 moves the pushing device 24 and the welding device 8 at the level of the zone to be welded 26 of the metal plate 1.
  • the means 28, that it comprises a rail 54 or a platform 56 supported by a pair of rails 58 moves the pushing device 24 and the welding device 8 simultaneously so that these two devices 8, 24 are positioned at the level of the zone to be welded 26 of the metal plate 1.
  • the pushing device 24 and the welding device 8 are moved by the means 28 so that they are aligned with an area to be welded 26 of the metal plate 1 and that a direction passing through the area to be welded 26 and the thrust device 24 and the welding device 8 is substantially perpendicular to the plane in which the frame 16 is inscribed.
  • At least one arm 18 carrying a gripping device 6 comprises a translation member 25 approaching or moving away the gripping device 6 from the frame 16.
  • the translation member 25 allows the arm 18 to be reversibly retractable on itself to facilitate the movement of the pushing device 24 and the welding device 8 by the means 28.
  • one of the arms 18 of the frame 4 is arranged on the passage of the pushing device 24 and the welding device 8 when the means 28 moves them, and that this arm 18 can retract, c that is to say that the gripping device 6 is brought closer to the frame 16, to allow the movement of the pushing device 24 and the welding device 8.
  • the pushing device 24 is movable along the pushing direction D so as to be able to move from the means 28 to the metal plate 1, the pushing direction D being substantially perpendicular to a main extension plan of the metal wall.
  • the frame 4 comprises a system 62 for moving the thrust device 24 along the thrust direction D, the movement system 62 being for example a jack, and that the thrust device 24 is thus brought closer to the plate metal 1, and more particularly of the area to be welded 26.
  • the displacement system 62 can also cause the displacement of the welding device 8 along the direction of thrust D, making it possible to bring the welding device 8 of the metal plate 1.
  • the displacement system 62 can drive the welding device 8 and/or the pushing device 24 in rotation around the pushing direction D.
  • the pushing device 24 exerts a force against the metal wall at the area to be welded 26.
  • the displacement system 62 generates a force F, so that the pushing device 24 transmits this force F at least partially around the zone to be welded 26.
  • the thrust device 24 presses on the metal plate 1 to press it against the insulating block 14 of the wall of the vessel.
  • the welding carried out by the welding device 8 and intended to be carried out between the zone to be welded 26 and the anchor 52 is optimized because the zone to be welded 26 and the anchor 52 are kept in contact with one the other by the thrust member 24.
  • the welding device 8 comprises at least one torch 64 able to carry out the welding between the zone to be welded 26 of the metal plate 1 and the anchor 52 of the insulating mass 14 of the wall of the tank and at least one displacement element 66 of the torch 64 relative to the pushing device 24.
  • the torch 64 is carried by the welding device 8 and connected to the welding station 42 installed on the frame 38 of the construction device 36.
  • the displacement element 66 is itself installed at the level of the welding device 8 and allows the displacement of the torch 64 along at least one direction substantially parallel to the plane in which extends the metal plate 1.
  • the displacement element 66 allows the displacement of the torch 64 in particular when the torch 64 carries out a weld of the zone to be welded 26 on the anchor 52, the torch 64 thus being able to move along the shape of the area to be welded 26 while welding said zone to be welded 26 to the anchoring 52 of the insulating mass 14 of the wall of the vessel.
  • the welding device 8 comprises at least one welding wheel capable of carrying out the welding between the zone to be welded 26 of the metal plate 1 and the anchoring 52 of the insulating mass 14 of the wall of the tank and at least one element 66 for moving the welding wheel relative to the pushing device 24.
  • the moving device 66 makes it possible to move the welding wheel along the zone to be welded 26 in order to fix, by welding, said area to be welded 26 of the anchor 52 of the insulating mass 14 of the wall of the vessel.
  • the welding wheel is carried by the welding device 8 and connected to the welding station 42, for example installed on the frame 38 of the construction device 36.
  • the torch 64 performs welding between the zone to be welded 26 and the anchoring 52 of the insulating mass 14 of the wall of the vessel, and on the other hand, simultaneously, the displacement element 66 causes movement of the torch 64 so that said torch 64 moves along the shape of the zone to be welded 26.
  • the welding device 8 generates an electric arc between the torch 64 and the zone to be welded 26, a filler metal element is positioned at the level of the zone where the electric arc is formed and the latter welds the zone to be welded 26 to the anchor 52 of the insulating block 14 of the wall of the vessel thanks to the partial melting of the zone to be welded 26, of the anchor 52 and of the metal element of bring.
  • the torch 64 comprises for example a non-fusible tungsten welding electrode from which the electric arc is generated.
  • the torch 64 comprises a metal electrode generating the electric arc necessary for welding.
  • the material constituting this electrode is used, in addition to its function of generating the electric arc, as a metallic element for the welding of the zone to be welded 26 and of the anchor 52. It is understood from this that during the welding of the zone to be welded 26 and of the anchor 52, at least a part of the metallic electrode is consumed in order to be used as a metallic element for said welding.
  • the thrust device 24 exerts an additional force at the level of the zone to be welded 26 so as to pressurize on the one hand the zone to be welded 26 of the metal plate 1 and on the other hand the anchorage 52 of the massif insulation 14 of the wall of the tank.
  • the arc of an electric circle generated by the torch 64 welds the area to be welded 26 to the anchor 52 without adding a filler metal element.
  • the welding device 8 comprises at least one translation element 65 of the torch 64 relative to the thrust device 24, the translation element 65 adapting the position of the torch 64 along the thrust direction D.
  • the translation element 65 contains for example a jack making it possible to bring the torch 64 closer to and/or further away from the metal plate 1, and more particularly from the zone to be welded 26.
  • the torch 64 is moved by at least 0.5 millimeters and by at most 5 millimeters, and advantageously by 1 to 2 millimeters.
  • the translation element 65 adapts the position of the torch 64 along the thrust direction D, which as a reminder is substantially perpendicular with respect to a main plane of extension of the metal plate. 1. It is understood that during the welding carried out by the torch 64 at the level of the zone to be welded 26 and of the anchor 52, the translation element 65 adapts the distance between the torch and the zone to be welded 26 to optimize the weld being carried out.
  • the translation element 65 adapts the position of the torch 64, along the direction of thrust D, with respect to the zone to be welded 26 throughout the duration during which the torch 64 welds the metal plate 1 to the insulating block. 14 at the area to be welded 26.
  • the pushing device 24 and the welding device 8 are moved by the means 28 towards another zone to be welded 26, and so on until all of the zones 26 to be welded on the metal plate 1 are welded to the anchors 52 of the insulating mass 14 of the wall of the vessel.
  • the method also comprises a separation step during which the construction tool 2 separates from the metal plate 1.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Optics & Photonics (AREA)
  • Filling Or Discharging Of Gas Storage Vessels (AREA)
  • Conveying And Assembling Of Building Elements In Situ (AREA)

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method for assembling a sealing membrane of a wall of a tank from a plurality of metal plates (1) and using a construction tool (2) comprising a frame (4) carrying at least one gripping device (6) and a welding device (8), the method comprising: a step of gripping a metal plate (1) with the gripping device (6) of the construction tool (2); a step of positioning the metal plate (1) against an insulating block (14) of the wall of the tank; a step of pushing the metal plate (1) against the insulating block of the wall of the tank; and at least one step of welding the metal plate (1) to the insulating block of the tank wall with the welding device (8) of the construction tool (2).

Description

DESCRIPTION DESCRIPTION
Titre : Procédé pour assembler une membrane d’étanchéité d’une paroi d’une cuve Title: Process for assembling a waterproofing membrane of a wall of a tank
L’invention s’inscrit dans le domaine relatif au montage et à la fixation de membranes métalliques étanches contre une paroi d’une cuve étanche et thermiquement isolante, et concerne plus particulièrement un outil de construction de telles membranes. 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.
Le gaz naturel liquide est généralement transporté par voie maritime dans des cuves de stockage ménagées sur des navires de transport. Le gaz naturel est maintenu sous forme liquide pour augmenter la quantité de gaz naturel transporté, le volume d’un litre de gaz naturel sous forme liquide étant bien inférieur au volume d’un litre de gaz naturel sous forme gazeuse. Ces cuves maintiennent le gaz naturel liquide à très basse température, et plus précisément à une température inférieure à -163°C, température à laquelle le gaz naturel est sous forme liquide à pression atmosphérique. 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.
Ce type de cuve est généralement composé dans son épaisseur de deux couches superposées l’une par rapport à l’autre de sorte qu’une des deux couches soit en contact avec le gaz naturel liquide stocké dans la cuve, tandis que l’autre couche est en contact avec une structure porteuse de la cuve. De plus, chacune des couches comprend une barrière thermiquement isolante portant une membrane étanche. Plus particulièrement, la membrane étanche de la couche en contact avec le gaz naturel liquide est composée d’une pluralité de plaques métalliques soudées les unes aux autres. Les plaques métalliques présentent des ondes, ces ondes permettant notamment d’absorber des contraintes mécaniques d’étirement ou de contraction qui apparaissent quand le navire navigue en mer. 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.
La construction de telles cuves nécessite de nombreux équipements et une main d’œuvre importante. Il est connu de monter la membrane étanche de la couche en contact avec le gaz naturel liquide chronologiquement après le montage de la barrière thermiquement isolante de cette couche. 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.
Pour cela, une première plaque métallique est positionnée et fixée sur la barrière thermiquement isolante de la couche. On utilise ensuite un premier outil permettant de positionner correctement une deuxième plaque métallique par rapport à la première plaque métallique. Une fois la deuxième plaque métallique correctement positionnée, on réalise un pointage permettant le maintien en position de la deuxième plaque métallique contre la barrière thermiquement isolante de la couche, puis le premier outil est désolidarisé de la deuxième plaque métallique. On utilise un deuxième outil pour souder la deuxième plaque à la première plaque. Ces actions sont ensuite répétées pour le montage de chacune des plaques métalliques contre la paroi de la cuve. 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 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.
Un premier inconvénient de cette méthode de montage réside dans le fait qu’il est impossible d’exercer un effort sur la plaque métallique pour garantir le contact entre les points d’ancrage situé sur la barrière d’isolation thermique lors du soudage de la plaque métallique. A first drawback of this assembly 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 plate. metallic.
Un deuxième inconvénient de cette méthode de montage est que l’utilisation d’un deuxième outil nécessite plusieurs positionnements sur la plaque métallique. Cela ajoute des étapes additionnelles qui allonge le processus de fabrication. 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.
Dans ce contexte, l’invention propose une solution répondant aux différents inconvénients cités ci-dessus. L’invention concerne plus particulièrement un procédé faisant appel à un seul et même outil pour d’une part positionner la plaque métallique contre la paroi de la cuve et d’autre part fixer par soudage la plaque métallique à au moins un ancrage de la paroi de la cuve. In this context, the invention proposes a solution responding to the various drawbacks mentioned above. The invention relates more particularly to a method using one and the same tool for, on the one hand, positioning the metal plate against the wall of the tank and, on the other hand, fixing the metal plate by welding to at least one anchoring of the wall. of the tank.
La présente invention a pour principal objet un procédé pour assembler une membrane d’étanchéité sur un massif isolant d’une paroi d’une cuve au moyen d’un outil de construction comprenant un bâti portant au moins un dispositif de préhension et un dispositif de soudage, la membrane d’étanchéité comprenant au moins une plaque métallique, le procédé comprenant : une étape de préhension de la plaque métallique par l’intermédiaire du dispositif de préhension de l’outil de construction, une étape de positionnement de la plaque métallique contre le massif isolant de la paroi de la cuve, une étape de poussée de la plaque métallique contre le massif isolant de la paroi de la cuve, et au moins une étape de soudage de la plaque métallique sur le massif isolant de la paroi de la cuve par l’intermédiaire du dispositif de soudage de l’outil de construction. The main subject of the present invention is a method for assembling a waterproofing membrane on an insulating mass of a wall of a tank by means of a construction tool comprising a frame carrying at least one gripping device and a welding, the sealing membrane comprising at least one metal plate, the method comprising: a step of gripping the metal plate via the gripping device of the construction tool, a step of positioning the metal plate against the insulating mass of the wall of the vessel, a step of pushing the metal plate against the insulating mass of the wall of the vessel, and at least one step of welding the metal plate on the insulating mass of the wall of the vessel through the welding device of the construction tool.
L’outil de construction comprend à la fois le dispositif de préhension, permettant de rendre temporairement solidaire la plaque métallique de l’outil de construction, et le dispositif de soudure intervenant dans la fixation de la plaque métallique contre le massif isolant de la paroi de la cuve. L’outil de construction est ainsi apte non seulement à prendre et déplacer la plaque métallique vers le massif isolant de la paroi de la cuve, mais également à fixer par soudage la plaque métallique à la paroi de la cuve. The construction tool comprises both the gripping device, making it possible to temporarily attach the metal plate to the construction tool, and the welding involved in fixing the metal plate against the insulating mass of the wall of the tank. The construction tool is thus able not only to pick up and move the metal plate towards the insulating mass of the wall of the tank, but also to fix the metal plate to the wall of the tank by welding.
On comprend que durant ce procédé, l’outil de construction intervient dans chacune des étapes du procédé pour prendre la plaque métallique depuis son espace de stockage, l’amener et la positionner sur le massif isolant de la paroi de la cuve, la plaquer contre le massif isolant et la souder au massif isolant. L’assemblage de la membrane d’étanchéité est réalisé par le montage de plusieurs plaques métalliques disposées selon le procédé de l’invention contre le massif isolant de la paroi de la cuve. It is understood that during this process, the construction tool intervenes in each of the stages of the process to take the metal plate from its storage space, bring it and position it on the insulating mass of the wall of the vessel, press it against the insulating block and weld it to the insulating block. The assembly of the sealing membrane is carried out by mounting several metal plates arranged according to the method of the invention against the insulating mass of the wall of the tank.
De plus, c’est durant l’étape de préhension que la plaque métallique est rendue solidaire de l’outil de construction, notamment par le dispositif de préhension. C’est le dispositif de préhension qui permet de maintenir la plaque métallique solidaire de l’outil de construction tout le long du procédé. Le dispositif de préhension est par exemple mécanique, par aimantation, par effet ventouse ou par soudage éphémère. In addition, it is during the gripping step that the metal plate is made integral with the construction tool, in particular by the gripping device. It is the gripping device that keeps the metal plate attached to the construction tool throughout the process. The gripping device is for example mechanical, by magnetization, by suction cup effect or by ephemeral welding.
Avantageusement, la plaque métallique comprend deux faces d’extension principale, le dispositif de préhension, au cours de l’étape de préhension, n’étant en contact que de l’une des faces d’extension principale de la plaque métallique. Ceci facilite ensuite le positionnement de la plaque métallique contre le massif isolant tout en permettant de réaliser ensuite l’étape de poussée. Advantageously, the metal plate comprises two main extension faces, the gripping device, during the gripping step, being in contact only with one of the main extension faces of the metal plate. This then facilitates the positioning of the metal plate against the insulating mass while allowing the subsequent pushing step to be carried out.
L’étape de positionnement correspond d’une part au déplacement de la plaque métallique depuis son lieu de stockage vers le massif isolant et d’autre part au positionnement de la plaque métallique contre le massif isolant de la paroi de la cuve, notamment pour positionner la plaque métallique en regard de l’ancrage que le massif isolant comprend, mais également pour positionner la plaque par rapport aux plaques métalliques déjà fixées sur le massif isolant. The positioning step corresponds on the one hand to the movement of the metal plate from its storage location towards the insulating block and on the other hand to the positioning of the metal plate against the insulating block of the wall of the vessel, in particular to position the metal plate opposite the anchoring that the insulating block comprises, but also to position the plate with respect to the metal plates already fixed on the insulating block.
L’étape de poussée permet de presser la plaque métallique contre le massif isolant pour faciliter la soudure de la plaque métallique au massif isolant qui se déroule durant l’étape de soudage. The pushing step makes it possible to press the metal plate against the insulating block to facilitate the welding of the metal plate to the insulating block which takes place during the welding step.
L’étape de soudage correspond au moment où le dispositif de soudage fixe la plaque métallique contre le massif isolant de la paroi de la cuve, rendant solidaire la plaque métallique du massif isolant. Une telle étape de soudage vise une opération de pointage de la plaque métallique sur les points d’ancrage du massif isolant, sur lesquels est ancrée au moins une plaque métallique constitutive de la membrane d’étanchéité, cette opération de pointage étant préalable à une opération de soudage périphérique de la plaque métallique. Selon une caractéristique optionnelle de l’invention, la plaque métallique comprend au moins une onde, le dispositif de préhension comprenant une mâchoire mobile entre une position libre et une position de préhension, procédé au cours duquel, durant l’étape de préhension, l’outil de construction positionne le dispositif de préhension au niveau de l’onde de la plaque métallique, la mâchoire passant de la position libre à la position de préhension pour rendre solidaire la plaque métallique du bâti de l’outil de construction. The welding step corresponds to the moment when the welding device fixes the metal plate against the insulating mass of the wall of the vessel, making the metal plate integral with the insulating mass. Such a welding step aims at an operation of tacking the metal plate on the anchoring points of the insulating mass, on which is anchored at least one metal plate constituting the sealing membrane, this pointing operation being prior to a peripheral welding operation of the metal plate. According to an optional characteristic of the invention, the metal plate comprises at least one wave, the gripping device comprising a jaw movable between a free position and a gripping position, a process during which, during the gripping step, the construction tool positions the gripping device at the level of the wave of the metal plate, the jaw passing from the free position to the gripping position to make the metal plate integral with the frame of the construction tool.
Selon une autre caractéristique de l’invention, au moins une première onde et au moins une deuxième onde s’étendent chacune le long d’une direction perpendiculaire à la direction le long de laquelle s’étend l’autre onde, la première onde et la deuxième onde se croisant en formant un nœud, procédé au cours duquel, durant l’étape de préhension, l’outil de construction positionne le dispositif de préhension au niveau du nœud de la plaque métallique, la mâchoire passant de la position libre à la position de préhension pour rendre solidaire la plaque métallique du bâti de l’outil de construction. According to another characteristic of the invention, at least one first wave and at least one second wave each extend along a direction perpendicular to the direction along which the other wave extends, the first wave and the second wave crossing to form a node, in which process, during the gripping step, the construction tool positions the gripper at the node of the metal plate, the jaw moving from the free position to the gripping position to secure the metal plate to the frame of the construction tool.
Selon une autre caractéristique optionnelle de l’invention, la plaque métallique comprend au moins une surface plane, le dispositif de préhension comprenant une ventouse, procédé au cours duquel, durant l’étape de préhension, l’outil de construction positionne le dispositif de préhension au niveau de la surface plane de la plaque métallique, la ventouse rendant solidaire la plaque métallique du bâti de l’outil de construction. According to another optional characteristic of the invention, the metal plate comprises at least one flat surface, the gripping device comprising a suction cup, a method during which, during the gripping step, the construction tool positions the gripping device at the flat surface of the metal plate, the suction cup securing the metal plate to the frame of the construction tool.
La première onde et au moins la deuxième onde s’étendant chacune le long d’une direction perpendiculaire à la direction le long de laquelle s’étend l’autre onde peuvent participer à délimiter la surface plane de la plaque métallique. The first wave and at least the second wave each extending along a direction perpendicular to the direction along which the other wave extends can participate in delimiting the flat surface of the metal plate.
Selon une autre caractéristique optionnelle de l’invention, le dispositif de préhension comprenant un élément électromagnétique, procédé au cours duquel, durant l’étape de préhension, l’outil de construction positionne le dispositif de préhension au niveau de la surface plane de la plaque métallique, l’élément électromagnétique générant un champ magnétique apte à rendre solidaire la plaque métallique du bâti de l’outil de construction. Selon une autre caractéristique optionnelle de l’invention, l’outil de construction est porté par un appareil de construction, procédé au cours duquel, durant l’étape de positionnement, l’appareil de construction déplace l’outil de construction et la plaque métallique vers le massif isolant de la paroi de la cuve. According to another optional characteristic of the invention, the gripping device comprising an electromagnetic element, a method during which, during the gripping step, the construction tool positions the gripping device at the flat surface of the plate metal, the electromagnetic element generating a magnetic field capable of securing the metal plate to the frame of the construction tool. According to another optional characteristic of the invention, the construction tool is carried by a construction device, a method during which, during the positioning step, the construction device moves the construction tool and the metal plate towards the insulating mass of the vessel wall.
Selon une autre caractéristique de l’invention, l’appareil de construction comprend au moins un organe de déplacement, procédé au cours duquel, durant l’étape de positionnement, l’appareil de construction se déplace par le biais de son organe de déplacement, entraînant dans son déplacement l’outil de construction et la plaque métallique. According to another characteristic of the invention, the construction device comprises at least one displacement member, a method during which, during the positioning step, the construction device moves by means of its displacement member, carrying in its movement the construction tool and the metal plate.
Selon une autre caractéristique optionnelle de l’invention, le massif isolant de la paroi de la cuve comprend au moins un ancrage, la plaque métallique comprenant au moins une zone à souder, procédé au cours duquel, durant l’étape de positionnement, l’outil de construction positionne la plaque métallique contre le massif isolant de la paroi de la cuve de sorte que la zone à souder de la plaque métallique se superpose sur l’ancrage du massif isolant de la paroi de la cuve. On comprend par « ancrage » une barre métallique solidaire du massif isolant de la paroi de la cuve et destinée à recevoir la soudure de la plaque métallique. According to another optional characteristic of the invention, the insulating mass of the wall of the vessel comprises at least one anchor, the metal plate comprising at least one zone to be welded, a process during which, during the positioning step, the construction tool positions the metal plate against the insulating mass of the wall of the tank so that the zone to be welded of the metal plate is superimposed on the anchoring of the insulating mass of the wall of the tank. “Anchoring” means a metal bar integral with the insulating block of the wall of the vessel and intended to receive the welding of the metal plate.
Selon une autre caractéristique optionnelle de l’invention, l’outil de construction comprend un dispositif de poussée, l’outil de construction comprenant un moyen autorisant un déplacement du dispositif de poussée et/ou du dispositif de soudage par rapport au bâti, la plaque métallique comprenant au moins une zone à souder au massif isolant de la paroi de la cuve, procédé au cours duquel, durant l’étape de poussée, le moyen autorisant un déplacement du dispositif de poussée et/ou du dispositif de soudage par rapport au bâti déplace ce dispositif de poussée et/ou ce dispositif de soudage à proximité de la zone à souder de la plaque métallique. On comprend par « à proximité » que le moyen positionne le dispositif de poussée et/ou le dispositif de soudage par rapport à la zone à souder, de sorte que le dispositif de poussée et/ou le dispositif de soudage et la zone à souder soient à aligner le long de direction sensiblement perpendiculaire au plan d’extension principale de la plaque métallique. According to another optional characteristic of the invention, the construction tool comprises a pushing device, the construction tool comprising a means allowing movement of the pushing device and/or of the welding device with respect to the frame, the plate metal comprising at least one zone to be welded to the insulating mass of the wall of the vessel, method during which, during the pushing step, the means allowing movement of the pushing device and/or of the welding device with respect to the frame moves this pushing device and/or this welding device close to the zone to be welded of the metal plate. “Nearby” means that the means positions the pushing device and/or the welding device with respect to the zone to be welded, so that the pushing device and/or the welding device and the zone to be welded are to be aligned along a direction substantially perpendicular to the main extension plane of the metal plate.
Selon une autre caractéristique optionnelle de l’invention, au cours de l’étape de poussée, le dispositif de poussée exerce une force contre la paroi métallique au niveau de la zone à souder, la force étant exercée selon une direction de poussée sensiblement perpendiculaire à un plan d’extension principale de la paroi métallique. According to another optional characteristic of the invention, during the pushing step, the pushing device exerts a force against the metal wall at the level of the zone to be welded, the force being exerted in a pushing direction substantially perpendicular to a map main extension of the metal wall.
Selon une autre caractéristique optionnelle de l’invention, la zone à souder prend la forme d’une fente le long de laquelle le dispositif de soudage se déplace pour opérer une soudure entre la plaque métallique et le massif isolant pendant l’étape de soudage. On comprend que le dispositif de soudage se déplace le long de la forme que prend la fente durant l’étape de soudage. According to another optional characteristic of the invention, the zone to be welded takes the form of a slot along which the welding device moves to operate a weld between the metal plate and the insulating block during the welding step. It is understood that the welding device moves along the shape that the slot takes during the welding step.
Par ailleurs, la soudure réalisée par le dispositif de soudage est effectuée entre la fente de la plaque métallique et un ancrage du massif isolant. Furthermore, the weld made by the welding device is performed between the slot of the metal plate and an anchoring of the insulating mass.
Selon une autre caractéristique optionnelle de l’invention, le dispositif de soudage comprend au moins une torche, procédé au cours duquel, durant l’étape de soudage, la torche réalise une soudure reliant la zone à souder de la plaque métallique à l’ancrage du massif isolant de la paroi de la cuve. According to another optional characteristic of the invention, the welding device comprises at least one torch, a process during which, during the welding step, the torch performs a weld connecting the area to be welded of the metal plate to the anchor of the insulating mass of the wall of the tank.
Selon une autre caractéristique optionnelle de l’invention, le dispositif de soudage comprend au moins un élément de déplacement de la torche par rapport au dispositif de poussée, procédé durant lequel, au cours de l’étape de soudage, la torche est déplacée par l’élément de déplacement le long de la zone à souder. Dans une telle situation, l’élément de déplacement déplace la torche selon un profil homothétique à une profil de la zone à souder. En d’autres termes, si la zone à souder est une fente rectiligne, alors le profil est une ligne droite. According to another optional characteristic of the invention, the welding device comprises at least one element for moving the torch relative to the pushing device, a method during which, during the welding step, the torch is moved by the displacement element along the area to be welded. In such a situation, the displacement element moves the torch according to a profile homothetic to a profile of the zone to be welded. In other words, if the area to be welded is a straight slot, then the profile is a straight line.
Selon une autre caractéristique optionnelle de l’invention, durant l’étape de soudage, la soudure réalisée par la torche rend solidaire la plaque métallique du massif isolant de la paroi de la cuve, le dispositif de soudage étant mobile le long de l’élément de déplacement durant la soudure de la zone à souder de la plaque métallique. According to another optional characteristic of the invention, during the welding step, the weld produced by the torch makes the metal plate integral with the insulating mass of the wall of the vessel, the welding device being movable along the element displacement during the welding of the zone to be welded of the metal plate.
Selon une autre caractéristique de l’invention, le dispositif de soudage comprend au moins un élément de translation de la torche par rapport au dispositif de poussée, procédé durant lequel, au cours de l’étape de soudage, l’élément de translation adapte la position de la torche le long d’une direction sensiblement perpendiculaire par rapport à un plan principal d’extension de la plaque métallique. L’élément de translation affine la position de la torche par rapport à la plaque métallique le long d’une direction sensiblement parallèle à la direction de poussée, l’élément de translation étant configuré pour permettre un déplacement de 1 à 5 millimètres de la torche par exemple en vue de régler la hauteur du dispositif de soudage formé durant l’étape de soudage. Avantageusement, l’élément de translation adapte la position de la torche, le long de la direction de poussée, par rapport à la zone à souder durant toute la durée pendant laquelle la torche soude la plaque métallique au massif isolant au niveau de la zone à souder. According to another characteristic of the invention, the welding device comprises at least one element for translation of the torch relative to the pushing device, a process during which, during the welding step, the translation element adapts the position of the torch along a direction substantially perpendicular to a main plane of extension of the metal plate. The translation element refines the position of the torch relative to the metal plate along a direction substantially parallel to the direction of thrust, the translation element being configured to allow movement of 1 to 5 millimeters of the torch for example in order to adjust the height of the welding device formed during the welding step. Advantageously, the translation element adapts the position of the torch, along the direction of thrust, relative to the zone to be welded throughout the duration during which the torch welds the metal plate to the insulating mass at the level of the zone to be welded. solder.
Selon une autre caractéristique optionnelle de l’invention, le procédé comprend une étape de séparation au cours de laquelle l’outil de construction se désolidarise de la plaque métallique.According to another optional characteristic of the invention, the method comprises a separation step during which the construction tool separates from the metal plate.
Selon une autre caractéristique optionnelle de l’invention, l’outil de construction comprend un organe de translation disposé au niveau d’un bras du bâti portant au niveau de son extrémité libre le dispositif de préhension, procédé comprenant une étape de rapprochement ou d’éloignement durant laquelle l’organe de translation rapproche ou éloigne le dispositif de préhension du bâti.According to another optional characteristic of the invention, the construction tool comprises a translation member arranged at the level of an arm of the frame carrying at its free end the gripping device, method comprising a step of approaching or distancing during which the translation member brings the gripping device closer to or further from the frame.
Selon une autre caractéristique optionnelle de l’invention, l’outil de construction comprend une pluralité d’articulations et une pluralité de vérins, procédé au cours duquel, durant l’étape de positionnement, la pluralité d’articulations oriente la plaque métallique de sorte qu’un plan d’extension principale de la plaque métallique s’étende parallèlement à un plan d’extension générale du massif isolant de la paroi de la cuve, la pluralité de vérins poussant la plaque métallique contre le massif isolant de la paroi de la cuve. According to another optional characteristic of the invention, the construction tool comprises a plurality of joints and a plurality of cylinders, a method during which, during the positioning step, the plurality of joints orients the metal plate so that a main extension plane of the metal plate extends parallel to a general extension plane of the insulating mass of the wall of the vessel, the plurality of jacks pushing the metal plate against the insulating mass of the wall of the tank.
Selon une autre caractéristique optionnelle de l’invention, la paroi de la cuve comprend au moins une première plaque métallique, l’outil de construction portant une deuxième plaque métallique, chacune des plaques métalliques s’étendant dans un plan d’extension principale et présentant une forme rectangulaire, procédé au cours duquel, durant l’étape de positionnement, l’outil de construction positionne la deuxième plaque métallique par rapport à la première plaque métallique préalablement installée sur la paroi de la cuve de sorte qu’un bord de la deuxième plaque métallique se superpose à un bord de la première plaque métallique. According to another optional characteristic of the invention, the wall of the tank comprises at least a first metal plate, the construction tool bearing a second metal plate, each of the metal plates extending in a main extension plane and having a rectangular shape, in which process, during the positioning step, the construction tool positions the second metal plate with respect to the first metal plate previously installed on the wall of the vessel so that an edge of the second metal plate overlaps an edge of the first metal plate.
D’autres caractéristiques, détails et avantages de l’invention ressortiront plus clairement à la lecture de la description qui suit d’une part, et de plusieurs exemples de réalisation donnés à titre indicatif et non limitatif en référence aux dessins schématiques annexés d’autre part, sur lesquels : 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] est une représentation schématique d’une étape de préhension d’un procédé selon l’invention ; [Fig. 1] is a schematic representation of a gripping step of a method according to the invention;
[Fig. 2] est une représentation en perspective d’une coopération entre un dispositif de préhension et une plaque métallique lors de l’étape de préhension du procédé selon la figure 1 ; [Fig. 3] est une représentation en perspective d’un appareil de construction portant un outil de construction et une plaque métallique lors d’une étape de positionnement de la plaque métallique du procédé selon l’invention ; [Fig. 2] is a representation in perspective of cooperation between a gripping device and a metal plate during the gripping step of the method according to FIG. 1; [Fig. 3] is a representation in perspective of a construction device carrying a construction tool and a metal plate during a metal plate positioning step of the method according to the invention;
[Fig. 4] est une représentation en perspective du positionnement de la plaque métallique contre un massif isolant d’une paroi d’une cuve par l’outil de construction lors de l’étape de positionnement du procédé représentée sur la figure 3 ; [Fig. 4] is a representation in perspective of the positioning of the metal plate against an insulating mass of a wall of a tank by the construction tool during the positioning step of the method shown in Figure 3;
[Fig. 5] est une représentation schématique d’une étape de poussée d’une plaque métallique contre un massif isolant d’une paroi d’une cuve selon le procédé de l’invention ; [Fig. 5] is a schematic representation of a step of pushing a metal plate against an insulating mass of a wall of a vessel according to the method of the invention;
[Fig. 6] est une représentation schématique du déplacement d’un moyen de déplacement d’un dispositif de soudage et d’un dispositif de poussée de l’outil de construction lors de l’étape de poussée du procédé représenté sur la figure 5 ; [Fig. 6] is a schematic representation of the displacement of a means of displacement of a welding device and of a device for pushing the construction tool during the pushing step of the method represented in FIG. 5;
[Fig. 7] est une représentation en perspective d’une étape de soudage d’une plaque métallique sur un massif isolant d’une paroi d’une cuve par un dispositif de soudage d’un outil de construction du procédé selon l’invention. [Fig. 7] is a representation in perspective of a step of welding a metal plate to an insulating mass of a wall of a vessel by a device for welding a construction tool of the method according to the invention.
Les caractéristiques, variantes et les différentes formes de réalisation de l’invention peuvent être associées les unes avec les autres, selon diverses combinaisons, dans la mesure où elles ne sont pas incompatibles ou exclusives les unes par rapport aux autres. On pourra notamment imaginer des variantes de l’invention ne comprenant qu’une sélection de caractéristiques décrites par la suite de manière isolée des autres caractéristiques décrites, si cette sélection de caractéristiques est suffisante pour conférer un avantage technique et/ou pour différencier l’invention par rapport à l’état de la technique antérieur. 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.
La présente invention concerne un procédé pour assembler une membrane d’étanchéité d’une paroi d’une cuve à partir d’une pluralité de plaques métalliques 1 et au moyen d’un outil de construction 2 comprenant un bâti 4 portant au moins un dispositif de préhension 6 et un dispositif de soudage 8, l’outil de construction 2 et la pluralité de plaques métalliques 1 étant notamment visibles sur la figure 1. The present invention relates to a method for assembling a sealing membrane of a wall of a tank from a plurality of metal plates 1 and by means of a construction tool 2 comprising a frame 4 carrying at least one device grip 6 and a welding device 8, the construction tool 2 and the plurality of metal plates 1 being particularly visible in Figure 1.
Cette figure 1 illustre l’outil de construction 2 intervenant dans le procédé d’assemblage de la paroi d’une cuve de stockage étanche et thermiquement isolante destinée à contenir un fluide cryogénique. Une telle cuve de stockage est destinée à être installée, par exemple, sur un navire de transport du fluide cryogénique dans une cuve terrestre. La cuve est conçue pour stocker du fluide cryogénique sous forme liquide, c’est-à-dire à une température égale ou inférieure à -163°C par exemple. Un tel fluide est par exemple du gaz naturel liquéfié (GNL). This figure 1 illustrates the construction tool 2 involved in the method of assembling the wall of a sealed and thermally insulating storage tank intended to contain a cryogenic fluid. Such a storage tank is intended to be installed, for example, on a ship of transport of the cryogenic fluid in an onshore vessel. The vessel is designed to store cryogenic fluid in liquid form, that is to say at a temperature equal to or less than −163° C. for example. Such a fluid is for example liquefied natural gas (LNG).
Pour stocker le fluide cryogénique à cette température, au moins une paroi de la cuve est composée d’une première couche en contact avec le fluide cryogénique et, par exemple, d’une deuxième couche entourant la première couche. Préférentiellement, l’ensemble des parois de la cuve est composé de la première couche et de la deuxième couche. To store the cryogenic fluid at this temperature, at least one wall of the vessel is composed of a first layer in contact with the cryogenic fluid and, for example, of a second layer surrounding the first layer. Preferably, all of the walls of the tank are composed of the first layer and the second layer.
Au moins la première couche est composée d’une barrière thermiquement isolante et d’une membrane d’étanchéité destinée à être en contact avec le fluide cryogénique, et reposant contre la barrière thermiquement isolante. Préférentiellement, la deuxième couche comprend également une barrière thermiquement isolante et une membrane d’étanchéité, cette dernière étant disposée entre la barrière thermiquement isolante de la deuxième couche et la barrière thermiquement isolante de la première couche. At least the first layer is composed of a thermally insulating barrier and a sealing 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.
Plus précisément, la membrane d’étanchéité de la première couche est composée d’une pluralité de plaques métalliques 1 assemblées les unes à côté des autres, contre la barrière thermiquement isolante de la première couche. More specifically, the waterproofing membrane of the first layer is composed of a plurality of metal plates 1 assembled next to each other, against the thermally insulating barrier of the first layer.
On comprend de ce qui précède qu’au moins la barrière thermiquement isolante primaire de la première couche forme un massif isolant 14 de la paroi de la cuve sur lequel est montée la pluralité de plaques métalliques 1 pour former la membrane d’étanchéité de la première couche de la paroi de la cuve. Avantageusement, le massif isolant 14 est formé d’une part par la barrière thermiquement isolante primaire et par la deuxième couche de la paroi de la cuve. It is understood from the above that at least the primary thermally insulating barrier of the first layer forms an insulating mass 14 of the wall of the vessel on which is mounted the plurality of metal plates 1 to form the sealing membrane of the first layer of the vessel wall. Advantageously, the insulating mass 14 is formed on the one hand by the primary thermally insulating barrier and by the second layer of the wall of the vessel.
Le procédé selon la présente invention concerne ainsi plus particulièrement le montage de la pluralité de plaques métalliques 1 contre le massif isolant 14 de la paroi de la cuve. The method according to the present invention thus relates more particularly to the mounting of the plurality of metal plates 1 against the insulating mass 14 of the wall of the vessel.
Selon l’invention, le procédé comprend au moins une étape de préhension d’une plaque métallique 1 par l’intermédiaire du dispositif de préhension 6 de l’outil de construction 2, une étape de positionnement de la plaque métallique 1 contre le massif isolant 14 de la paroi de la cuve, une étape de poussée de la plaque métallique 1 contre ce massif isolant 14, et au moins une étape de soudage de la plaque métallique 1 sur le massif isolant 14 de la paroi de la cuve par l’intermédiaire du dispositif de soudage 8 de l’outil de construction 2. On comprend ici que l’outil de construction 2 intervient dans chacune des étapes du procédé, et qu’un seul et unique outil de construction 2 est nécessaire pour déplacer, positionner, pousser et fixer la plaque métallique 1 sur le massif isolant 14 de la paroi de la cuve. According to the invention, the method comprises at least one step of gripping a metal plate 1 by means of the gripping device 6 of the construction tool 2, a step of positioning the metal plate 1 against the insulating mass 14 of the wall of the vessel, a step of pushing the metal plate 1 against this insulating mass 14, and at least one step of welding the metal plate 1 to the insulating mass 14 of the wall of the vessel via of the welding device 8 of the construction tool 2. It is understood here that the construction tool 2 intervenes in each of the steps of the method, and that a single and unique construction tool 2 is necessary to move, position, push and fix the metal plate 1 on the insulating mass 14 of the wall of the vessel .
Chacune des étapes du procédé citées ci-dessus se déroule indépendamment les unes des autres.Each of the process steps mentioned above takes place independently of one another.
De manière alternative, certaines étapes du procédé peuvent être opérées simultanément. Avantageusement, l’étape de préhension de la plaque métallique 1 par l’outil de construction 2 est réalisée en première, l’étape de positionnement de ladite plaque métallique 1 contre le massif isolant 14 de la paroi de la cuve par l’outil de construction 2 est ensuite réalisée à la suite de l’étape de préhension, puis l’étape de poussée de la plaque métallique 1 contre le massif isolant 14 de la paroi de la cuve est réalisée à la suite de l’étape de positionnement, et enfin, l’étape de soudage de la plaque métallique 1 au massif isolant 14 est enfin réalisée à la suite de l’étape de poussée. Comme évoqué ci-dessus, l’étape de soudage et l’étape de poussée peuvent être mises en œuvre simultanément. Alternatively, certain steps of the method can be carried out simultaneously. Advantageously, the step of gripping the metal plate 1 by the construction tool 2 is carried out first, the step of positioning said metal plate 1 against the insulating block 14 of the wall of the vessel by the construction 2 is then carried out following the gripping step, then the step of pushing the metal plate 1 against the insulating mass 14 of the wall of the vessel is carried out following the positioning step, and finally, the step of welding the metal plate 1 to the insulating block 14 is finally carried out following the pushing step. As mentioned above, the welding step and the pushing step can be implemented simultaneously.
Le procédé comprend, pour rappel, l’étape de préhension d’une plaque métallique 1 par l’intermédiaire du dispositif de préhension 6 de l’outil de construction 2. On comprend que, durant cette étape de préhension, le dispositif de préhension 6 rend solidaire la plaque métallique 1 de l’outil de construction 2. En d’autres termes, l’outil de construction 2 attrape la plaque métallique 1 par l’intermédiaire du dispositif de préhension 6. The method comprises, as a reminder, the step of gripping a metal plate 1 by means of the gripping device 6 of the construction tool 2. It is understood that, during this gripping step, the gripping device 6 attaches the metal plate 1 to the construction tool 2. In other words, the construction tool 2 grabs the metal plate 1 via the gripping device 6.
De plus, la plaque métallique 1 comprend au moins deux faces d’extension principale opposée l’une par rapport à l’autre, le dispositif de préhension 6, au cours de l’étape de préhension, n’étant en contact que de l’une des faces d’extension principale de la plaque métallique 1. Cet avantage de l’invention facilite ensuite le positionnement de la plaque métallique 1 contre le massif isolant 14 tout en permettant de réaliser ensuite l’étape de poussée, puis l’étape de soudage. On comprend que le dispositif de préhension 6 permet ainsi de pouvoir positionner la plaque métallique 1 plan sur plan contre le massif isolant 14. In addition, the metal plate 1 comprises at least two opposite main extension faces with respect to each other, the gripping device 6, during the gripping step, being in contact only with the one of the main extension faces of the metal plate 1. This advantage of the invention then facilitates the positioning of the metal plate 1 against the insulating block 14 while making it possible to then carry out the pushing step, then the step of welding. It is understood that the gripping device 6 thus makes it possible to be able to position the metal plate 1 plane on plane against the insulating mass 14.
Tel qu’illustré sur la figure 1, l’outil de construction 2 comprend le bâti 4 et au moins le dispositif de préhension 6 configuré pour prendre au moins une plaque métallique 1 destinée à former la paroi de la cuve de stockage. Plus précisément, le bâti 4 est une infrastructure de l’outil de construction 2 portant le dispositif de préhension 6. On comprend ici que le dispositif de préhension 6 est solidaire du bâti 4 et que, par exemple lorsque le dispositif de préhension 6 prend une plaque métallique 1 , le déplacement du bâti 4 entraîne le déplacement du dispositif de préhension 6 et de la plaque métallique 1. As illustrated in Figure 1, the construction tool 2 comprises the frame 4 and at least the gripping device 6 configured to take at least one metal plate 1 intended to form the wall of the storage tank. More precisely, the frame 4 is an infrastructure of the construction tool 2 carrying the gripping device 6. It is understood here that the device for handle 6 is secured to the frame 4 and that, for example when the handle device 6 takes a metal plate 1, the movement of the frame 4 causes the movement of the handle device 6 and of the metal plate 1.
Tel que plus particulièrement visible sur la figure 1, le bâti 4 comprend un cadre 16 et au moins un bras 18 s’étendant le long d’une direction transversale au plan dans lequel s’étend le cadre 16. Avantageusement, le bâti 4 comprend une pluralité de bras 18 s’étendant de façon transversale par rapport au plan dans lequel s’étend le cadre 16 et dans un même sens. As more particularly visible in Figure 1, the frame 4 comprises a frame 16 and at least one arm 18 extending along a direction transverse to the plane in which the frame 16 extends. Advantageously, the frame 4 comprises a plurality of arms 18 extending transversely relative to the plane in which the frame 16 extends and in the same direction.
Le cadre 16 peut par exemple comprendre deux poutres longitudinales s’étendant chacune le long d’une direction sensiblement parallèle à la direction longitudinale L, et deux poutres transversales s’étendant entre les deux poutres longitudinales chacune le long d’une direction sensiblement parallèle à la direction transversale T. Dans cette configuration, les poutres longitudinales et transversales constitutives du cadre 16 prennent une forme globalement rectangulaire. De façon alternative, le cadre 16 peut par exemple comprendre une mono-poutre s’étendant le long de la direction longitudinale L. The frame 16 may for example comprise two longitudinal beams each extending along a direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal direction L, and two transverse beams extending between the two longitudinal beams each along a direction substantially parallel to the transverse direction T. In this configuration, the longitudinal and transverse beams constituting the frame 16 take on a generally rectangular shape. Alternatively, the frame 16 may for example comprise a single beam extending along the longitudinal direction L.
Au moins un bras 18 comprend au moins une articulation 20 disposée entre le bras 18 et le cadre 16. Plus précisément, l’articulation 20 est disposée entre une extrémité du bras 18 et le cadre 16. Par exemple, l’articulation 20 est composée d’une rotule portée par le bras 18 et d’un logement sensiblement sphérique coopérant avec la rotule, le logement étant porté par le cadre 16, la rotule du bras 18 étant reçue dans le logement porté par le cadre 16. Selon une alternative de l’invention, c’est le cadre 16 qui porte la rotule, le bras 18 portant le logement. At least one arm 18 comprises at least one articulation 20 arranged between arm 18 and frame 16. More specifically, articulation 20 is arranged between one end of arm 18 and frame 16. For example, articulation 20 is composed a ball joint carried by the arm 18 and a substantially spherical housing cooperating with the ball joint, the housing being carried by the frame 16, the ball joint of the arm 18 being received in the housing carried by the frame 16. According to an alternative of the invention is the frame 16 which carries the ball joint, the arm 18 carrying the housing.
Selon une autre alternative visible sur la figure 1, le bâti 4 comprend une biellette 22 s’étendant entre une extrémité du bras 18 et le cadre 16, la biellette 22 rendant le bras 18 solidaire du cadre 16. Le cadre 16 et le bras 18 comprennent chacun une rotule, la biellette 22 comprenant deux logements chacun disposé au niveau d’une extrémité de la biellette 22. Chacun des logements de la biellette 22 coopère avec la rotule du bras 18 ou la rotule du cadre 16. La biellette 22 offre une certaine souplesse dans le positionnement du dispositif de préhension 6 sur le nœud 12 de la plaque métallique 1. Selon une autre alternative, le cadre 16 et le bras 18 portent chacun un logement d’une rotule, la biellette 22 comprenant deux rotules, chaque rotule coopérant avec l’un des logements du cadre 16 ou du bras 18. According to another alternative visible in Figure 1, the frame 4 comprises a link 22 extending between one end of the arm 18 and the frame 16, the link 22 making the arm 18 integral with the frame 16. The frame 16 and the arm 18 each comprise a ball joint, the link 22 comprising two housings each disposed at one end of the link 22. Each of the housings of the link 22 cooperates with the ball joint of the arm 18 or the ball joint of the frame 16. The link 22 offers a certain flexibility in the positioning of the gripping device 6 on the node 12 of the metal plate 1. According to another alternative, the frame 16 and the arm 18 each carry a housing for a ball joint, the link 22 comprising two ball joints, each ball joint cooperating with one of the housings of the frame 16 or of the arm 18.
Avantageusement, le bâti 4 comprend une biellette 22 entre chaque bras 18 de la pluralité de bras 18 et le cadre 16, la biellette 22 pouvant être réalisée selon l’une quelconque des alternatives décrites ci-dessus. Dans cette configuration, chaque bras 18 est mobile indépendamment des autres bras 18, ce qui offre un certain jeu dans le positionnement des dispositifs de préhension 6.Advantageously, the frame 4 comprises a link 22 between each arm 18 of the plurality of arms 18 and the frame 16, the link 22 being able to be produced according to any one of the alternatives described above. In this configuration, each arm 18 is movable independently of the other arms 18, which offers a certain play in the positioning of the gripping devices 6.
Selon l’invention, au moins un bras 18 porte à une extrémité libre le dispositif de préhension 6. Plus particulièrement, le dispositif de préhension 6 est porté par le bras 18 de sorte que le bras 18 s’étende entre le dispositif de préhension 6 et le cadre 16 ou la biellette 22. Avantageusement, chaque bras 18 de la pluralité de bras 18 du bâti 4 porte un dispositif de préhension 6 au niveau de leurs extrémités libres. According to the invention, at least one arm 18 carries at a free end the gripping device 6. More particularly, the gripping device 6 is carried by the arm 18 so that the arm 18 extends between the gripping device 6 and the frame 16 or the link 22. Advantageously, each arm 18 of the plurality of arms 18 of the frame 4 carries a gripping device 6 at their free ends.
Selon l’invention, l’outil de construction 2 comprend également le dispositif de soudage 8 et un dispositif de poussée 24 configuré pour exercer une pression contre la plaque métallique 1. Chaque plaque métallique 1 est rendue solidaire des plaques métalliques 1 voisines par soudage, ce soudage étant réalisé par le dispositif de soudage 8 de l’outil de construction 2. De plus, pour assurer une fixation optimale d’une plaque métallique 1 au massif isolant 14, le dispositif de poussée 24 de l’outil de construction 2 est apte à exercer une pression à proximité d’une zone à souder 26. According to the invention, the construction tool 2 also comprises the welding device 8 and a pushing device 24 configured to exert pressure against the metal plate 1. Each metal plate 1 is secured to the adjacent metal plates 1 by welding, this welding being carried out by the welding device 8 of the construction tool 2. In addition, to ensure optimum fixing of a metal plate 1 to the insulating block 14, the thrust device 24 of the construction tool 2 is capable of exerting pressure close to an area to be welded 26.
Comme plus particulièrement visible sur la figure 1, le dispositif de soudage 8 est relié au bâti 4 par un moyen 28 autorisant un déplacement dudit dispositif de soudage 8 par rapport au bâti 4, selon au moins une direction. On comprend que le moyen 28 permet de déplacer le dispositif de soudage 8 le long d’au moins une direction par rapport au bâti 4, c’est-à-dire que le déplacement du dispositif de soudage 8 par rapport au bâti 4 est indépendant du déplacement du bâti 4.As more particularly visible in Figure 1, the welding device 8 is connected to the frame 4 by means 28 allowing movement of said welding device 8 relative to the frame 4, in at least one direction. It is understood that the means 28 makes it possible to move the welding device 8 along at least one direction with respect to the frame 4, that is to say that the movement of the welding device 8 with respect to the frame 4 is independent the movement of the frame 4.
De plus, le dispositif de poussée 24 est également relié au bâti 4 par le moyen 28 autorisant un déplacement du dispositif de soudage 8 par rapport au bâti 4. On comprend ici que le dispositif de soudage 8 et le dispositif de poussée 24 sont tous deux portés par le moyen 28 autorisant le déplacement du dispositif de soudage 8 par rapport au bâti 4. Le moyen 28 entraîne donc, d’une part, le déplacement du dispositif de soudage 8 par rapport au bâti 4, mais également le déplacement du dispositif de poussée 24 par rapport au bâti 4, de façon similaire à ce qui a été décrit pour le dispositif de soudage 8. Préférentiellement, le moyen 28 déplace le dispositif de soudage 8 et le dispositif de poussée 24 de façon simultanée, c’est-à-dire que lorsque le moyen 28 déplace le dispositif de soudage 8 le long d’au moins une direction, le moyen 28 déplace également le dispositif de poussée 24 le long de la même direction. In addition, the pushing device 24 is also connected to the frame 4 by the means 28 allowing movement of the welding device 8 relative to the frame 4. It is understood here that the welding device 8 and the pushing device 24 are both carried by the means 28 allowing the movement of the welding device 8 relative to the frame 4. The means 28 therefore causes, on the one hand, the movement of the welding device 8 relative to the frame 4, but also the displacement of the pushing device 24 relative to the frame 4, in a manner similar to that which has been described for the welding device 8. Preferably, the means 28 moves the welding device 8 and the pushing device 24 simultaneously, c that is, when means 28 moves welding device 8 along at least one direction, means 28 also moves pushing device 24 along the same direction.
Comme plus particulièrement visible sur la figure 1, les plaques métalliques 1 sont par exemple stockées en étant empilées les unes sur les autres. Durant l’étape de préhension, la plaque métallique 1 située au sommet de l’empilement de la pluralité de plaques métalliques 1 est par exemple rendu solidaire de l’outil de construction 2 par l’intermédiaire du dispositif de préhension 6. As more particularly visible in Figure 1, the metal plates 1 are for example stored by being stacked on top of each other. During the gripping step, the metal plate 1 located at the top of the stack of the plurality of metal plates 1 is for example made integral with the construction tool 2 via the gripping device 6.
Par ailleurs, la plaque métallique 1 comprend au moins une surface plane 30, c’est-à-dire une surface s’étendant principalement dans un plan. Selon l’exemple illustré ici sur les figures 1 et 2, la plaque métallique 1 comprend au moins une première onde 10a s’étendant principalement le long d’une direction parallèle au plan dans lequel s’inscrit la surface plane 30. Avantageusement, la plaque métallique 1 comprend au moins une deuxième onde 10b s’étendant principalement le long d’une direction perpendiculaire par rapport à la direction le long de laquelle s’étend la première onde 10a et parallèlement au plan dans lequel s’inscrit la surface plane 30. On comprend de cela que la première onde 10a et la deuxième onde 10b participent à former un nœud 12 lorsqu’elles se croisent, le nœud 12 prenant une forme de croix dont les branches s’étendent perpendiculairement l’une par rapport à l’autre. Furthermore, the metal plate 1 comprises at least one flat surface 30, that is to say a surface extending mainly in one plane. According to the example illustrated here in FIGS. 1 and 2, the metal plate 1 comprises at least one first wave 10a extending mainly along a direction parallel to the plane in which the flat surface 30 is inscribed. metal plate 1 comprises at least one second wave 10b extending mainly along a direction perpendicular to the direction along which the first wave 10a extends and parallel to the plane in which the flat surface 30 is inscribed It is understood from this that the first wave 10a and the second wave 10b participate in forming a node 12 when they cross, the node 12 taking the form of a cross whose branches extend perpendicularly to one another. other.
Par ailleurs, la plaque métallique 1 comprend une pluralité d’ondes 10 s’étendant dont une première partie des ondes 10 s’étend parallèlement les unes par rapport aux autres et une deuxième partie des ondes 10 s’étendant perpendiculairement par rapport à la première partie d’ondes 10. Dans cette configuration, la pluralité d’ondes 10 participe à former une pluralité de nœuds 12 similaires à celui qui a été décrit ci-dessus. Furthermore, the metal plate 1 comprises a plurality of waves 10 extending of which a first part of the waves 10 extends parallel to each other and a second part of the waves 10 extending perpendicularly to the first part of waves 10. In this configuration, the plurality of waves 10 participate in forming a plurality of nodes 12 similar to that which has been described above.
Tel qu’illustré sur la figure 2, le dispositif de préhension 6 coopère par exemple avec au moins une onde 10 de la plaque métallique 1 pour la rendre solidaire de l’outil de construction 2 durant l’étape de préhension. Pour cela, le dispositif de préhension 6 comprend par exemple une mâchoire 32 mobile entre une position libre et une position de préhension, la mâchoire 32 passant de la position libre à la position de préhension pour rendre solidaire la plaque métallique 1 du bâti 4 de l’outil de construction 2. Plus précisément, par son déplacement entre ces deux positions, la mâchoire 32 est capable de rendre temporairement solidaire la plaque métallique 1 de l’outil de construction 2. As illustrated in Figure 2, the gripping device 6 cooperates for example with at least one wave 10 of the metal plate 1 to make it integral with the construction tool 2 during the gripping step. For this, the gripping device 6 comprises for example a jaw 32 movable between a free position and a gripping position, the jaw 32 moving from the free position to the gripping position to secure the metal plate 1 to the frame 4 of the construction tool 2. More precisely, by its movement between these two positions, the jaw 32 is able to temporarily secure the plate metal 1 of construction tool 2.
Plus précisément, la mâchoire 32 est ici composée d’au moins deux blocs 34 mobiles le long d’une direction de préhension A perpendiculaire par rapport à la direction d’extension du bras 18. On comprend que les blocs 34 peuvent se rapprocher et s’éloigner l’un de l’autre le long de la direction de préhension A. Les deux blocs 34 sont ainsi mobiles entre deux positions : une première position, dite position libre, dans laquelle les deux blocs 34 sont les plus éloignés l’un de l’autre, et une deuxième position, dite position de préhension, dans laquelle les deux blocs 34 sont les plus proches l’un de l’autre. En d’autres termes, une première distance mesurée entre les deux blocs 34 lorsqu’ils sont dans la position libre est plus grande qu’une deuxième distance mesurée entre les deux blocs 34 lorsqu’ils sont dans la position de préhension, chacune de ces deux distances étant mesurées le long de la direction de préhension A. More specifically, the jaw 32 is here composed of at least two blocks 34 movable along a gripping direction A perpendicular to the direction of extension of the arm 18. It is understood that the blocks 34 can approach and s away from each other along the gripping direction A. The two blocks 34 are thus movable between two positions: a first position, called the free position, in which the two blocks 34 are furthest apart on the other, and a second position, called the gripping position, in which the two blocks 34 are closest to each other. In other words, a first distance measured between the two blocks 34 when they are in the free position is greater than a second distance measured between the two blocks 34 when they are in the gripping position, each of these two distances being measured along the grip direction A.
Les deux blocs 34 participent à définir une rainure destinée à coopérer avec une onde 10 ou un nœud 12 de la plaque métallique 1. Les deux blocs 34 délimitent la rainure notamment lorsque les deux blocs 34 sont dans la position de préhension. La rainure prend une forme globalement complémentaire à l’onde 10 ou au nœud 12 de la plaque métallique 1 de sorte que le dispositif de préhension 6 puisse exercer une pression contre les surfaces de l’onde 10 ou du nœud 12 de la plaque métallique 1, permettant d’attraper la plaque métallique 1. The two blocks 34 participate in defining a groove intended to cooperate with a wave 10 or a node 12 of the metal plate 1. The two blocks 34 delimit the groove in particular when the two blocks 34 are in the gripping position. The groove takes a generally complementary shape to the wave 10 or the node 12 of the metal plate 1 so that the gripping device 6 can exert pressure against the surfaces of the wave 10 or the node 12 of the metal plate 1 , making it possible to catch the metal plate 1.
Selon une alternative de l’invention et tel que plus particulièrement visible sur la figure 3, le dispositif de préhension 6 coopère par exemple avec au moins une surface plane 30 de la plaque métallique 1 pour la rendre solidaire de l’outil de construction 2 durant l’étape de préhension. Pour cela, on positionne l’outil de construction 2 par rapport à la plaque métallique 1 de sorte que le dispositif de préhension 6 soit en regard de la surface plane 30 de la plaque métallique 1, le dispositif de préhension 6 comprenant une ventouse 21 coopérant avec la surface plane 30 de plaque métallique 1 pour rendre solidaire la plaque métallique 1 de l’outil de construction 2. Plus précisément, la ventouse 21 est capable de rendre temporairement solidaire la plaque métallique 1 de l’outil de construction 2. Selon une autre alternative de l’invention, le dispositif de préhension 6 comprend un élément électromagnétique générant un champ magnétique apte à rendre solidaire la plaque métallique 1 du bâti 4. Plus précisément, l’élément magnétique du dispositif de préhension 6 génère un champ magnétique suffisamment intense pour attirer la plaque métallique 1 contre le dispositif de préhension 6 et rendre ainsi solidaire la plaque métallique 1 de l’outil de construction 2. Selon cette alternative de l’invention, et durant l’étape de préhension, le dispositif de préhension 6 est par exemple tout d’abord positionné au niveau d’une surface plane 30 de la plaque métallique 1. L’élément électromagnétique génère ensuite un champ électromagnétique de sorte à attirer et rendre solidaire le plaque métallique 1 du dispositif de préhension 6, et plus généralement de l’outil de construction 2. According to an alternative of the invention and as more particularly visible in Figure 3, the gripping device 6 cooperates for example with at least one flat surface 30 of the metal plate 1 to make it integral with the construction tool 2 during the grasping stage. For this, the construction tool 2 is positioned relative to the metal plate 1 so that the gripping device 6 faces the flat surface 30 of the metal plate 1, the gripping device 6 comprising a suction cup 21 cooperating with the flat surface 30 of metal plate 1 to secure metal plate 1 to construction tool 2. More specifically, suction cup 21 is capable of temporarily securing metal plate 1 to construction tool 2. According to another alternative of the invention, the gripping device 6 comprises an electromagnetic element generating a magnetic field capable of securing the metal plate 1 to the frame 4. More specifically, the magnetic element of the gripping device 6 generates a magnetic field intense enough to attract the metal plate 1 against the gripping device 6 and thus make the metal plate 1 integral with the construction tool 2. According to this alternative of the invention, and during the gripping step, the gripping device 6 is for example first of all positioned at the level of a flat surface 30 of the metal plate 1. The electromagnetic element then generates an electromagnetic field so as to attract and secure the metal plate 1 to the gripping device 6, and more generally of the construction tool 2.
On comprend de ce qui précède que, durant l’étape de préhension, on positionne tout d’abord l’outil de construction 2 par rapport à la plaque métallique 1, de sorte à mettre en regard le dispositif de préhension 6 et une onde 10, un nœud 12 et/ou une surface plane 30 de plaque métallique 1, selon si le dispositif de préhension 6 comprend une mâchoire 32 ou une ventouse 21. Après ce positionnement de l’outil de construction 2 par rapport à la plaque métallique 1, on utilise le dispositif de préhension 6 pour rendre solidaire la plaque métallique 1 de l’outil de construction 2. It is understood from the above that, during the gripping step, the construction tool 2 is first positioned with respect to the metal plate 1, so as to bring the gripping device 6 and a wave 10 , a node 12 and/or a flat surface 30 of metal plate 1, depending on whether the gripping device 6 comprises a jaw 32 or a suction cup 21. After this positioning of the construction tool 2 relative to the metal plate 1, the gripping device 6 is used to secure the metal plate 1 to the construction tool 2.
Dans le cas où le dispositif de préhension 6 comprend une mâchoire 32, le dispositif de préhension 6 est tout d’abord positionné en regard d’une onde 10 ou d’un nœud 12 de la plaque métallique 1, la mâchoire 32 étant avantageusement dans la position libre à ce moment de l’étape. Dans le cas où la mâchoire 32 est dans la position de préhension lorsque le dispositif de préhension 6 est positionné en regard de l’onde 10 ou du nœud 12 de la plaque métallique 1, la mâchoire 32 passe de la position de préhension à la position libre pour pouvoir ensuite attraper l’onde 10 ou le nœud 12 de la plaque métallique 1. Une fois le dispositif de préhension 6 correctement positionné au niveau de l’onde 10 ou du nœud 12 de la plaque métallique 1, la mâchoire 32 passe de la position libre à la position de préhension. On comprend de cela que les deux blocs 34 formant la mâchoire 32 se rapproche l’un de l’autre le long de la direction de préhension A. Par le rapprochement des deux blocs 34 le long de la direction de préhension A, tel qu’illustré sur la figure 2 par des flèches vides, la mâchoire 32 exerce une pression sur la surface de l’onde 10 ou du nœud 12, et qui, par cette pression exercée, rend solidaire la plaque métallique 1 de l’outil de construction 2. In the case where the gripping device 6 comprises a jaw 32, the gripping device 6 is first of all positioned opposite a wave 10 or a node 12 of the metal plate 1, the jaw 32 being advantageously in the free position at this point in the step. In the case where the jaw 32 is in the gripping position when the gripping device 6 is positioned facing the wave 10 or the node 12 of the metal plate 1, the jaw 32 passes from the gripping position to the position free to then be able to grab the wave 10 or the node 12 of the metal plate 1. Once the gripping device 6 is correctly positioned at the level of the wave 10 or the node 12 of the metal plate 1, the jaw 32 passes from the free position to the grip position. It is understood from this that the two blocks 34 forming the jaw 32 approach each other along the gripping direction A. By bringing the two blocks 34 together along the gripping direction A, such that illustrated in Figure 2 by empty arrows, the jaw 32 exerts pressure on the surface of the wave 10 or the node 12, and which, by this exerted pressure, makes the metal plate 1 integral with the construction tool 2.
Dans le cas où le dispositif de préhension 6 comprend une ventouse 21, le dispositif de préhension 6 est tout d’abord positionné en regard de la surface plane 30 de la plaque métallique 1. Une fois le dispositif de préhension 6 correctement positionné, la ventouse 21 exerce une pression sur la surface plane 30 de la plaque métallique 1 de sorte à rendre solidaire la plaque métallique 1 de l’outil de construction 2. In the case where the gripping device 6 comprises a suction cup 21, the gripping device 6 is first of all positioned opposite the flat surface 30 of the metal plate 1. Once the gripping device 6 is correctly positioned, the suction cup 21 exerts pressure on the flat surface 30 of the metal plate 1 so as to make the metal plate 1 integral with the construction tool 2.
Cependant, le dispositif de préhension 6 peut également prendre une autre forme que celle décrite ci-dessus sans pour autant sortir du cadre de l’invention, tant que le dispositif de préhension 6 permet de rendre solidaire temporairement la plaque métallique 1 de l’outil de construction 2. However, the gripping device 6 can also take a form other than that described above without departing from the scope of the invention, as long as the gripping device 6 makes it possible to temporarily attach the metal plate 1 to the tool. building 2.
On va maintenant décrire plus en détails l’étape de positionnement d’une plaque métallique 1 par rapport à un massif isolant 14 de la paroi d’une cuve par l’outil de construction 2, notamment en référence aux figures 3 et 4. We will now describe in more detail the step of positioning a metal plate 1 relative to an insulating block 14 of the wall of a vessel by the construction tool 2, in particular with reference to Figures 3 and 4.
Pour rappel, le procédé comprend une étape de positionnement de la plaque métallique 1 durant laquelle l’outil de construction 2 déplace la plaque métallique 1 et la positionne correctement sur le massif isolant 14 de la paroi de la cuve. As a reminder, the method includes a step of positioning the metal plate 1 during which the construction tool 2 moves the metal plate 1 and positions it correctly on the insulating mass 14 of the wall of the vessel.
Cet étape de positionnement est facilitée notamment par la préhension de la plaque métallique 1 par l’outil de préhension 6 uniquement sur l’une des faces d’extension principale de la plaque métallique 1. This positioning step is facilitated in particular by the gripping of the metal plate 1 by the gripping tool 6 only on one of the main extension faces of the metal plate 1.
Selon l’invention et tel qu’illustré sur la figure 3, l’outil de construction 2 est porté par un appareil de construction 36. Ce dernier comprend un châssis 38 porteur d’un mât 40 au bout duquel est fixé l’outil de construction 2, le dispositif à soudage de l’outil de construction 2 étant relié à un poste à souder 42 porter par le châssis 38. En d’autres termes, le poste à souder 42 est disposé sur le châssis 38, le mât 40 est solidaire au niveau de l’une de ses extrémités du châssis 38, l’outil de construction 2 étant disposé au niveau d’une autre extrémité du mât 40, à l’opposé du châssis 38. On comprend ainsi que le poste à souder 42 est installé à distance de l’outil de construction 2. L’appareil de construction 36 comprend un câble 44 reliant le poste à souder 42 au dispositif de soudage 8 disposé au niveau de l’outil de construction 2, le câble 44 s’étendant au moins en partie le long du mât 40. According to the invention and as illustrated in FIG. 3, the construction tool 2 is carried by a construction device 36. The latter comprises a frame 38 carrying a mast 40 at the end of which the construction tool is fixed. construction 2, the welding device of the construction tool 2 being connected to a welding station 42 carried by the frame 38. In other words, the welding station 42 is arranged on the frame 38, the mast 40 is fixed at one of its ends to the frame 38, the construction tool 2 being arranged at another end of the mast 40, opposite the frame 38. It is thus understood that the welding station 42 is installed at a distance from the construction tool 2. The construction apparatus 36 comprises a cable 44 connecting the welding station 42 to the welding device 8 arranged at the level of the construction tool 2, the cable 44 extending at least partly along the mast 40.
Selon l’invention, durant l’étape de positionnement, l’appareil de construction 36 déplace l’outil de construction 2 et la plaque métallique 1 vers le massif isolant 14 de la paroi de la cuve. According to the invention, during the positioning step, the construction device 36 moves the construction tool 2 and the metal plate 1 towards the insulating mass 14 of the wall of the vessel.
Le châssis 38 comprend un organe de déplacement 46, tel que des paires de roues permettant à l’appareil de construction 36 de pouvoir circuler sur une surface. De la sorte, l’appareil de construction 36 peut se déplacer depuis un espace où est stockée la pluralité de plaques métalliques 1, permettant à l’outil de construction 2 de saisir l’une des plaques métalliques 1, puis de déplacer l’outil de construction 2 portant la plaque métallique 1 vers le massif isolant 14 de la paroi de la cuve où la plaque métallique 1 pourra être positionnée et fixée. The frame 38 includes a displacement member 46, such as pairs of wheels allowing the construction device 36 to be able to circulate on a surface. In this way, the construction device 36 can move from a space where the plurality of metal plates 1 are stored, allowing the construction tool 2 to grab one of the metal plates 1 and then move the tool construction 2 carrying the metal plate 1 towards the insulating mass 14 of the wall of the tank where the metal plate 1 can be positioned and fixed.
Le mât 40 comprend une pluralité de vérins 48 et une pluralité d’articulations 49 rendant mobile l’outil de construction 2 le long de plusieurs directions. La pluralité d’articulations 49 pouvant être telles que décrites ci-dessus en étant une coopération entre une rotule reçue dans un logement, voire une biellette offrant une certaine souplesse dans le positionnement des différents composants du mât 40. The mast 40 comprises a plurality of cylinders 48 and a plurality of joints 49 making the construction tool 2 movable along several directions. The plurality of joints 49 can be as described above by being a cooperation between a ball joint received in a housing, or even a rod offering a certain flexibility in the positioning of the various components of the mast 40.
Durant l’étape de positionnement, l’appareil de construction 36 est apte à déplacer l’outil de construction 2 et la plaque métallique 1 depuis l’espace où est stocké la pluralité de plaques métalliques 1 vers le massif isolant 14 de la paroi de la cuve. During the positioning step, the construction device 36 is capable of moving the construction tool 2 and the metal plate 1 from the space where the plurality of metal plates 1 are stored towards the insulating mass 14 of the wall of the tank.
Par ailleurs, durant une sous-étape de l’étape de positionnement, l’appareil de construction 36 se déplace depuis l’espace où est stocké la pluralité de plaques métalliques 1 vers le massif isolant 14 de la paroi de la cuve au moyen de l’organe de déplacement 46. Durant une autre sous-étape de l’étape de positionnement, le mât 40 oriente le bâti 4, entraînant dans son déplacement la plaque métallique 1, de sorte à positionner correctement la plaque métallique 1 contre le massif isolant 14 de la paroi de la cuve. Furthermore, during a sub-step of the positioning step, the construction device 36 moves from the space where the plurality of metal plates 1 are stored towards the insulating block 14 of the wall of the vessel by means of the moving member 46. During another sub-step of the positioning step, the mast 40 orients the frame 4, driving the metal plate 1 in its movement, so as to correctly position the metal plate 1 against the insulating mass 14 from the tank wall.
Dans cette configuration, la pluralité d’articulations 49 du mât 40 de l’appareil de construction 36 oriente la plaque métallique 1 de sorte qu’un plan d’extension principale de la plaque métallique 1 s’étende parallèlement à un plan d’extension générale du massif isolant 14 de la paroi de la cuve, la pluralité de vérins 48 quant à elle poussant la plaque métallique 1 contre le massif isolant 14 de la paroi de la cuve. Plus particulièrement, et comme visible sur la figure 4, l’outil de construction 2 positionne la plaque métallique 1 par rapport au massif isolant 14 de la paroi de la cuve. En effet, la plaque métallique 1 est destinée à être soudée au massif isolant 14 de la paroi de la cuve, les zones destinées à être soudées de la plaque métallique 1 doivent donc être positionnées au niveau des zones destinées à être soudées du massif isolant 14 de la paroi de la cuve. In this configuration, the plurality of joints 49 of the mast 40 of the construction apparatus 36 orient the metal plate 1 so that a main extension plane of the metal plate 1 extends parallel to an extension plane general of the insulating block 14 of the wall of the tank, the plurality of cylinders 48 for its part pushing the metal plate 1 against the insulating block 14 of the wall of the tank. More particularly, and as can be seen in FIG. 4, the construction tool 2 positions the metal plate 1 with respect to the insulating block 14 of the wall of the vessel. Indeed, the metal plate 1 is intended to be welded to the insulating mass 14 of the wall of the vessel, the zones intended to be welded of the metal plate 1 must therefore be positioned at the level of the zones intended to be welded of the insulating mass 14 from the wall of the tank.
Avantageusement, c'est la face d'extension principale opposée à la face d’extension principale en contact du dispositif de préhension de la plaque métallique 1 qui est positionnée contre la massif isolant 14. Advantageously, it is the main extension face opposite the main extension face in contact with the device for gripping the metal plate 1 which is positioned against the insulating mass 14.
Tel qu’illustré sur la figure 4, les zones destinées à être soudées de la plaque métallique 1 sont par exemple des zones à souder 26 prenant la forme d’une fente s’étendant à travers la plaque métallique 1. On comprend par « fente » une ouverture s’étendant principalement le long d’une direction et réalisée à travers la plaque métallique 1, la fente présentant une longueur plus importante que sa largeur, la longueur étant mesurée le long d’une direction perpendiculaire à une direction le long de laquelle est mesurée la largeur. La longueur de la fente formant la zone à souder 26 peut par exemple comprise entre 40 à 100 millimètres. Cependant une fente présentant une longueur supérieure à 100 millimètres ne sortirait pas du cadre de l’invention. La largeur de la fente de la zone à souder est quant à elle comprise entre 1 et 12 millimètres, et avantageusement entre 2 et 5 millimètres. As illustrated in FIG. 4, the zones intended to be welded of the metal plate 1 are for example zones to be welded 26 taking the form of a slot extending through the metal plate 1. » an opening extending mainly along one direction and made through the metal plate 1, the slot having a greater length than its width, the length being measured along a direction perpendicular to a direction along which is the width measured. The length of the slot forming the zone 26 to be welded may for example be between 40 and 100 millimeters. However, a slot 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.
Les zones destinées à être soudées du massif isolant 14 de la paroi de la cuve sont par exemple des ancrages 52 prenant la forme de planches métalliques préalablement fixées sur le massif isolant 14 de la paroi de la cuve en amont du procédé de montage. The areas intended to be welded to the insulating mass 14 of the wall of the vessel are for example anchors 52 taking the form of metal boards previously fixed to the insulating mass 14 of the wall of the vessel upstream of the assembly process.
On comprend de qui précède que l’appareil de construction 36 oriente l’outil de construction 2 de sorte que les zones à souder 26 de la plaque métallique 1 portée par l’outil de construction 2 soient alignées avec les ancrages 52 du massif isolant 14 de la paroi de la cuve. Pour cela, une fois l’appareil de construction 36 positionné au moyen de l’organe de déplacement 46, la pluralité d’articulations 49 et de vérins 48 du mât 40 de l’appareil de construction 36 oriente et positionne l’outil de construction 2 de sorte que les zones à souder 26 de la plaque métallique 1 soient positionnées en regard des ancrages 52 répartis sur le massif isolant 14 de la paroi de la cuve. L’outil de construction 2, notamment grâce aux articulations 20 reliant chaque bras 18 au cadre 16 du bâti 4, affine l’orientation de la plaque métallique 1 par rapport aux ancrages 52 du massif isolant 14 de la paroi de la cuve. It is understood from the foregoing that the construction device 36 orients the construction tool 2 so that the areas to be welded 26 of the metal plate 1 carried by the construction tool 2 are aligned with the anchors 52 of the insulating mass 14 from the wall of the tank. For this, once the construction device 36 has been positioned by means of the displacement member 46, the plurality of joints 49 and cylinders 48 of the mast 40 of the construction device 36 orients and positions the construction tool 2 so that the areas to be welded 26 of the metal plate 1 are positioned opposite the anchors 52 distributed on the insulating mass 14 of the wall of the tank. The construction tool 2, in particular thanks to the joints 20 connecting each arm 18 to the frame 16 of the frame 4, refines the orientation of the metal plate 1 with respect to the anchors 52 of the insulating block 14 of the wall of the vessel.
Durant l’étape de positionnement, l’outil de construction 2 et la plaque métallique 1 sont déplacés vers le massif isolant 14 de la paroi de la cuve grâce à l’organe de déplacement 46 de l’appareil de construction 36. Ensuite, la plaque métallique 1 est positionnée par rapport au massif isolant 14 de la paroi de la cuve par les articulations 20 du bâti 4 de l’outil de construction 2 et par la pluralité d’articulations 49 et de vérins 48 du mât 40 de l’appareil de construction 36 de sorte que les zones à souder 26 de la plaque métallique 1 soient alignées aux ancrages 52 du massif isolant 14. En d’autres termes, la plaque métallique 1 est positionnée de sorte que les zones à souder 26 recouvrent les ancrages 52 du massif isolant 14 de la paroi de la cuve. During the positioning step, the construction tool 2 and the metal plate 1 are moved towards the insulating mass 14 of the wall of the vessel thanks to the displacement member 46 of the construction device 36. Then, the metal plate 1 is positioned relative to the insulating block 14 of the wall of the tank by the joints 20 of the frame 4 of the construction tool 2 and by the plurality of joints 49 and cylinders 48 of the mast 40 of the device construction 36 so that the areas to be welded 26 of the metal plate 1 are aligned with the anchors 52 of the insulating block 14. In other words, the metal plate 1 is positioned so that the areas to be welded 26 cover the anchors 52 of the insulating mass 14 of the wall of the tank.
Par ailleurs, le massif isolant 14 peut comprendre un dispositif d’indexation de la plaque métallique 1. Dans cette configuration, le massif isolant comprend par exemple au moins une rainure, le dispositif d’indexation comprenant au moins une tétine configurée pour se loger dans la rainure du massif isolant 14. Le dispositif d’indexation comprenant un corps prenant globalement une forme de demi-sphère et d’où émerge la tétine du dispositif d’indexation. Le corps est configuré pour pouvoir se loger dans une onde 10 de la plaque métallique 1. On comprend de cela que, avant l’étape de positionnement, on dispose le dispositif d’indexation sur la rainure du massif isolant, le positionnement du dispositif d’indexation étant réalisé de sorte à positionner correctement la plaque métallique 1 contre le massif isolant 14. Ensuite, durant l’étape de positionnement, on place la plaque métallique 1 par rapport d’une part au dispositif d’indexation, en logeant le corps du dispositif d’indexation dans une onde 10 de la plaque métallique 1, et d’autre part aux ancrages 52 du massif isolant 14. Furthermore, the insulating mass 14 may comprise a device for indexing the metal plate 1. In this configuration, the insulating mass comprises for example at least one groove, the indexing device comprising at least one nipple configured to be housed in the groove of the insulating mass 14. The indexing device comprising a body generally taking the shape of a hemisphere and from which emerges the nipple of the indexing device. The body is configured to be able to be housed in a wave 10 of the metal plate 1. It is understood from this that, before the positioning step, the indexing device is placed on the groove of the insulating block, the positioning of the device indexing being carried out so as to correctly position the metal plate 1 against the insulating mass 14. Then, during the positioning step, the metal plate 1 is placed relative on the one hand to the indexing device, by housing the body of the indexing device in a wave 10 of the metal plate 1, and on the other hand to the anchors 52 of the insulating mass 14.
On va maintenant décrire plus en détails l’étape de poussée d’une plaque métallique 1 par rapport à un massif isolant 14 de la paroi d’une cuve par l’outil de construction 2, notamment en référence aux figures 5 à 7. We will now describe in more detail the step of pushing a metal plate 1 relative to an insulating block 14 of the wall of a vessel by the construction tool 2, in particular with reference to Figures 5 to 7.
Selon l’invention et pour rappel, l’outil de construction 2 comprend le dispositif de poussée 24 et le moyen 28 autorisant un déplacement du dispositif de poussée 24 et du dispositif de soudage 8 par rapport au bâti 4. Le dispositif de poussée 24 est configuré pour exercer une pression contre la plaque métallique 1, et plus particulièrement à proximité d’une zone à souder 26 de la plaque métallique 1. Plus précisément, le dispositif de poussée 24 génère une force à proximité de la zone à souder 26, et avantageusement partiellement autour de ladite zone à souder 26, pour optimiser la soudure réalisée par le dispositif de soudage 8 au niveau de la zone à souder 26 de la plaque métallique 1 et de l’ancrage 52 du massif isolant 14 de la paroi de la cuve. According to the invention and as a reminder, the construction tool 2 comprises the pushing device 24 and the means 28 allowing movement of the pushing device 24 and of the welding device 8 with respect to the frame 4. The pushing device 24 is configured to exert pressure against the metal plate 1, and more particularly near a zone to be welded 26 of the plate metal 1. More precisely, the thrust device 24 generates a force close to the zone to be welded 26, and advantageously partially around said zone to be welded 26, to optimize the weld produced by the welding device 8 at the level of the zone weld 26 of the metal plate 1 and the anchor 52 of the insulating block 14 of the wall of the tank.
Le moyen 28 autorise le déplacement du dispositif de poussée 24 et/ou du dispositif de soudage 8 au moins le long d’une direction par rapport au bâti 4, c’est-à-dire que le déplacement du dispositif de soudage 8 par rapport au bâti 4 est indépendant du déplacement du bâti 4. On comprend ici que le dispositif de soudage 8 et le dispositif de poussée 24 sont tous deux portés par le moyen 28 autorisant le déplacement du dispositif de soudage 8 par rapport au bâti 4. Le moyen 28 entraîne donc, d’une part, le déplacement du dispositif de soudage 8 par rapport au bâti 4, mais également le déplacement du dispositif de poussée 24 par rapport au bâti 4. Préférentiellement, le moyen 28 déplace le dispositif de soudage 8 et le dispositif de poussée 24 de façon simultanée, c’est-à-dire que lorsque le moyen 28 déplace le dispositif de soudage 8 le long d’au moins une direction, le moyen 28 déplace également le dispositif de poussée 24 le long de la même direction. The means 28 allow the displacement of the pushing device 24 and/or of the welding device 8 at least along one direction relative to the frame 4, that is to say that the displacement of the welding device 8 relative to the frame 4 is independent of the movement of the frame 4. It is understood here that the welding device 8 and the pushing device 24 are both carried by the means 28 allowing the movement of the welding device 8 relative to the frame 4. The means 28 therefore causes, on the one hand, the movement of the welding device 8 with respect to the frame 4, but also the movement of the pushing device 24 with respect to the frame 4. Preferably, the means 28 moves the welding device 8 and the pushing device 24 simultaneously, that is to say that when the means 28 moves the welding device 8 along at least one direction, the means 28 also moves the pushing device 24 along the same direction.
Selon un premier mode de réalisation visible sur la figure 5, le moyen 28 autorisant un déplacement du dispositif de soudage 8 et du dispositif de poussée 24 par rapport au bâti 4 comprend au moins un rail 54 solidaire d’au moins un bras 18 du bâti 4, le moyen 28 étant configuré pour autoriser un déplacement du dispositif de soudage 8 le long d’une direction principale d’extension du rail 54. On comprend que le dispositif de soudage 8 et le dispositif de poussée 24 sont mobiles le long de cette direction principale d’extension du rail 54. Préférentiellement, le rail 54 est solidaire d’une pluralité de bras 18 du cadre 16. La direction principale d’extension du rail 54 s’étend parallèlement au plan dans lequel s’inscrit le cadre 16 du bâti 4. According to a first embodiment visible in Figure 5, the means 28 allowing movement of the welding device 8 and the pushing device 24 relative to the frame 4 comprises at least one rail 54 secured to at least one arm 18 of the frame 4, the means 28 being configured to allow movement of the welding device 8 along a main direction of extension of the rail 54. It is understood that the welding device 8 and the pushing device 24 are movable along this main direction of extension of the rail 54. Preferably, the rail 54 is integral with a plurality of arms 18 of the frame 16. The main direction of extension of the rail 54 extends parallel to the plane in which the frame 16 fits of frame 4.
Selon un deuxième mode de réalisation visible sur la figure 6, le moyen 28 autorisant un déplacement du dispositif de soudage 8 par rapport au bâti 4 comprend au moins une plateforme 56 qui s’étend entre le cadre 16 et le dispositif de préhension 6, le moyen 28 étant configuré pour autoriser un déplacement de la plateforme 56 dans au moins deux directions sécantes contenues dans un même plan. Le dispositif de soudage 8 et le dispositif de poussée 24 sont portés par la plateforme 56 et mobiles le long de ces deux directions sécantes contenues dans un même plan. Pour cela, le bâti 4 comprend au moins un rail 58, et avantageusement une paire de rails 58, s’étendant le long d’une direction de déplacement B, la plateforme 56 étant mobile le long du rail 58, et/ou de la paire de rails 58, ainsi que le long de la direction de déplacement B. Ce rail 58, et/ou cette paire de rails 58, est relié au cadre 16 du bâti 4 par une liaison glissière 60, de sorte à rendre le rail 58 et/ou la paire de rails 58 mobile le long d’une direction de glissière C sécante à la direction de déplacement B, la direction de glissière C étant parallèle au plan dans lequel s’inscrit le cadre 16 et étant avantageusement perpendiculaire par rapport à la direction de déplacement B.According to a second embodiment visible in Figure 6, the means 28 allowing movement of the welding device 8 relative to the frame 4 comprises at least one platform 56 which extends between the frame 16 and the gripping device 6, the means 28 being configured to allow movement of platform 56 in at least two intersecting directions contained in the same plane. The welding device 8 and the pushing device 24 are carried by the platform 56 and movable along these two intersecting directions contained in the same plane. For this, the frame 4 comprises at least one rail 58, and advantageously a pair of rails 58, extending along a direction of movement B, the platform 56 being movable along the rail 58, and/or the pair of rails 58, as well as along the direction of movement B. This rail 58, and/or this pair of rails 58, is connected to the frame 16 of the frame 4 by a sliding connection 60, so as to make the rail 58 and/or the pair of rails 58 movable along a slide direction C secant to the direction of movement B, the slide direction C being parallel to the plane in which the frame 16 is inscribed and being advantageously perpendicular with respect to direction of travel B.
Selon l’invention et durant l’étape de poussée, le moyen 28 déplace le dispositif de poussée 24 et le dispositif de soudage 8 au niveau de la zone à souder 26 de la plaque métallique 1. On comprend que le moyen 28, qu’il comporte un rail 54 ou une plateforme 56 porté une paire de rails 58, déplace le dispositif de poussée 24 et le dispositif de soudage 8 simultanément de sorte que ces deux dispositifs 8, 24 soient positionnés au niveau de la zone à souder 26 de la plaque métallique 1. En d’autres termes, le dispositif de poussée 24 et le dispositif de soudage 8 sont déplacés par le moyen 28 de sorte qu’ils soient alignés avec une zone à souder 26 de la plaque métallique 1 et qu’une direction passant par la zone à souder 26 et le dispositif de poussée 24 et le dispositif de soudage 8 soit sensiblement perpendiculaire par rapport au plan dans lequel s’inscrit le cadre 16. According to the invention and during the pushing step, the means 28 moves the pushing device 24 and the welding device 8 at the level of the zone to be welded 26 of the metal plate 1. It is understood that the means 28, that it comprises a rail 54 or a platform 56 supported by a pair of rails 58, moves the pushing device 24 and the welding device 8 simultaneously so that these two devices 8, 24 are positioned at the level of the zone to be welded 26 of the metal plate 1. In other words, the pushing device 24 and the welding device 8 are moved by the means 28 so that they are aligned with an area to be welded 26 of the metal plate 1 and that a direction passing through the area to be welded 26 and the thrust device 24 and the welding device 8 is substantially perpendicular to the plane in which the frame 16 is inscribed.
Selon une alternative de l’invention, au moins un bras 18 portant un dispositif de préhension 6 comprend un organe de translation 25 rapprochant ou éloignant le dispositif de préhension 6 du cadre 16. En d’autres termes, durant une étape de rapprochement ou d’éloignement du dispositif de préhension 6 par rapport au bâti 4 l’organe de translation 25 permet au bras 18 d’être rétractable de façon réversible sur lui-même pour faciliter le déplacement du dispositif de poussée 24 et du dispositif de soudage 8 par le moyen 28. On comprend que, par exemple, un des bras 18 du bâti 4 est disposé sur le passage du dispositif de poussée 24 et du dispositif de soudage 8 lorsque le moyen 28 les déplace, et que ce bras 18 peut se rétracter, c’est-à-dire que le dispositif de préhension 6 soit rapproché du cadre 16, pour permettre le déplacement du dispositif de poussée 24 et du dispositif de soudage 8. According to an alternative of the invention, at least one arm 18 carrying a gripping device 6 comprises a translation member 25 approaching or moving away the gripping device 6 from the frame 16. In other words, during a step of approaching or distance of the gripping device 6 from the frame 4 the translation member 25 allows the arm 18 to be reversibly retractable on itself to facilitate the movement of the pushing device 24 and the welding device 8 by the means 28. It is understood that, for example, one of the arms 18 of the frame 4 is arranged on the passage of the pushing device 24 and the welding device 8 when the means 28 moves them, and that this arm 18 can retract, c that is to say that the gripping device 6 is brought closer to the frame 16, to allow the movement of the pushing device 24 and the welding device 8.
Durant l’étape de poussée, au moins le dispositif de poussée 24 est mobile le long de la direction de poussée D de sorte à pouvoir se déplacer depuis le moyen 28 jusqu’à la plaque métallique 1, la direction de poussée D étant sensiblement perpendiculaire à un plan d’extension principale de la paroi métallique. On comprend que le bâti 4 comprend un système de déplacement 62 du dispositif de poussée 24 le long de la direction de poussée D, le système de déplacement 62 étant par exemple un vérin, et que le dispositif de poussée 24 est ainsi rapproché de la plaque métallique 1, et plus particulièrement de la zone à souder 26. Par ailleurs, le système de déplacement 62 peut également entraîner le déplacement du dispositif de soudure 8 le long de la direction de poussée D, permettant de rapprocher et/ou d’éloigner le dispositif de soudure 8 de la plaque métallique 1. De plus, le système de déplacement 62 peut entraîner le dispositif de soudure 8 et/ou le dispositif de poussée 24 en rotation autour de la direction de poussée D. During the pushing step, at least the pushing device 24 is movable along the pushing direction D so as to be able to move from the means 28 to the metal plate 1, the pushing direction D being substantially perpendicular to a main extension plan of the metal wall. It is understood that the frame 4 comprises a system 62 for moving the thrust device 24 along the thrust direction D, the movement system 62 being for example a jack, and that the thrust device 24 is thus brought closer to the plate metal 1, and more particularly of the area to be welded 26. Furthermore, the displacement system 62 can also cause the displacement of the welding device 8 along the direction of thrust D, making it possible to bring the welding device 8 of the metal plate 1. In addition, the displacement system 62 can drive the welding device 8 and/or the pushing device 24 in rotation around the pushing direction D.
Durant l’étape de poussée, le dispositif de poussée 24 exerce une force contre la paroi métallique au niveau de la zone à souder 26. During the pushing step, the pushing device 24 exerts a force against the metal wall at the area to be welded 26.
Plus précisément, une fois que le dispositif de poussée 24 est positionné et en contact avec la plaque métallique 1, le système de déplacement 62 génère une force F, de sorte que le dispositif de poussée 24 transmet cette force F au moins partiellement autour de la zone à souder 26. En exerçant cette force F contre la plaque métallique 1, le dispositif de poussée 24 appuie sur la plaque métallique 1 pour la plaquer contre le massif isolant 14 de la paroi de la cuve. Dans cette configuration, le soudage réalisé par le dispositif de soudage 8 et destiné à être réalisé entre la zone à souder 26 et l’ancrage 52 est optimisé car la zone à souder 26 et l’ancrage 52 sont maintenus en contact l’un de l’autre par l’organe de poussée 24. More precisely, once the pushing device 24 is positioned and in contact with the metal plate 1, the displacement system 62 generates a force F, so that the pushing device 24 transmits this force F at least partially around the zone to be welded 26. By exerting this force F against the metal plate 1, the thrust device 24 presses on the metal plate 1 to press it against the insulating block 14 of the wall of the vessel. In this configuration, the welding carried out by the welding device 8 and intended to be carried out between the zone to be welded 26 and the anchor 52 is optimized because the zone to be welded 26 and the anchor 52 are kept in contact with one the other by the thrust member 24.
Par ailleurs et tel que plus particulièrement visible sur la figure 7, le dispositif de soudage 8 comprend au moins une torche 64 apte à réaliser le soudage entre la zone à souder 26 de la plaque métallique 1 et l’ancrage 52 du massif isolant 14 de la paroi de la cuve et au moins un élément de déplacement 66 de la torche 64 par rapport au dispositif de poussée 24. La torche 64 est portée par le dispositif de soudage 8 et reliée au poste à souder 42 installé sur le châssis 38 de l’appareil de construction 36. L’élément de déplacement 66 est quant à lui installé au niveau du dispositif de soudage 8 et autorise le déplacement de la torche 64 le long d’au moins une direction sensiblement parallèle au plan dans lequel s’étend la plaque métallique 1. On comprend que l’élément de déplacement 66 autorise le déplacement de la torche 64 notamment lorsque la torche 64 réalise une soudure de la zone à souder 26 sur l’ancrage 52, la torche 64 pouvant ainsi se déplacer le long de la forme de la zone à souder 26 tout en soudant ladite zone à souder 26 à l’ancrage 52 du massif isolant 14 de la paroi de la cuve. Selon une alternative de l’invention, le dispositif de soudage 8 comprend au moins une molette de soudage apte à réaliser le soudage entre la zone à souder 26 de la plaque métallique 1 et l’ancrage 52 du massif isolant 14 de la paroi de la cuve et au moins un élément de déplacement 66 de la molette de soudage par rapport au dispositif de poussée 24. Le dispositif de déplacement 66 permet de déplacer la molette de soudage le long de la zone à souder 26 afin de fixer, par soudage, ladite zone à souder 26 de l’ancrage 52 du massif isolant 14 de la paroi de la cuve. La molette de soudage est portée par le dispositif de soudage 8 et reliée au poste à souder 42 par exemple installé sur le châssis 38 de l’appareil de construction 36. Furthermore, and as more particularly visible in FIG. 7, the welding device 8 comprises at least one torch 64 able to carry out the welding between the zone to be welded 26 of the metal plate 1 and the anchor 52 of the insulating mass 14 of the wall of the tank and at least one displacement element 66 of the torch 64 relative to the pushing device 24. The torch 64 is carried by the welding device 8 and connected to the welding station 42 installed on the frame 38 of the construction device 36. The displacement element 66 is itself installed at the level of the welding device 8 and allows the displacement of the torch 64 along at least one direction substantially parallel to the plane in which extends the metal plate 1. It is understood that the displacement element 66 allows the displacement of the torch 64 in particular when the torch 64 carries out a weld of the zone to be welded 26 on the anchor 52, the torch 64 thus being able to move along the shape of the area to be welded 26 while welding said zone to be welded 26 to the anchoring 52 of the insulating mass 14 of the wall of the vessel. According to an alternative of the invention, the welding device 8 comprises at least one welding wheel capable of carrying out the welding between the zone to be welded 26 of the metal plate 1 and the anchoring 52 of the insulating mass 14 of the wall of the tank and at least one element 66 for moving the welding wheel relative to the pushing device 24. The moving device 66 makes it possible to move the welding wheel along the zone to be welded 26 in order to fix, by welding, said area to be welded 26 of the anchor 52 of the insulating mass 14 of the wall of the vessel. The welding wheel is carried by the welding device 8 and connected to the welding station 42, for example installed on the frame 38 of the construction device 36.
Durant l’étape de soudage, d’une part la torche 64 réalise un soudage entre la zone à souder 26 et l’ancrage 52 du massif isolant 14 de la paroi de la cuve, et d’autre part, de façon simultanée, l’élément de déplacement 66 entraîne un mouvement de la torche 64 de sorte que ladite torche 64 se déplace le long de la forme de la zone à souder 26. During the welding step, on the one hand the torch 64 performs welding between the zone to be welded 26 and the anchoring 52 of the insulating mass 14 of the wall of the vessel, and on the other hand, simultaneously, the displacement element 66 causes movement of the torch 64 so that said torch 64 moves along the shape of the zone to be welded 26.
Selon un premier exemple de réalisation de l’invention, le dispositif de soudage 8 génère un arc électrique entre la torche 64 et la zone à souder 26, un élément métallique d’apport est positionné au niveau de la zone où l’arc électrique est formé et ce dernier soude la zone à souder 26 à l’ancrage 52 du massif isolant 14 de la paroi de la cuve grâce à la fonte partielle de la zone à souder 26, de l’ancrage 52 et de l’élément métallique d’apport. Pour cela, la torche 64 comprend par exemple une électrode de soudage non fusible en tungstène depuis laquelle est généré l’arc électrique. According to a first embodiment of the invention, the welding device 8 generates an electric arc between the torch 64 and the zone to be welded 26, a filler metal element is positioned at the level of the zone where the electric arc is formed and the latter welds the zone to be welded 26 to the anchor 52 of the insulating block 14 of the wall of the vessel thanks to the partial melting of the zone to be welded 26, of the anchor 52 and of the metal element of bring. For this, the torch 64 comprises for example a non-fusible tungsten welding electrode from which the electric arc is generated.
Selon un deuxième exemple de réalisation alternatif de l’invention, la torche 64 comprend une électrode métallique générant l’arc électrique nécessaire au soudage. De plus, le matériau constituant cette électrode est utilisé, en plus de sa fonction à générer l’arc électrique, comme élément métallique d’apport à la soudure de la zone à souder 26 et de l’ancrage 52. On comprend de cela que durant la soudure de la zone à souder 26 et de l’ancrage 52, au moins une partie de l’électrode métallique est consumée pour être utiliser comme élément métallique d’apport à ladite soudure. According to a second alternative embodiment of the invention, the torch 64 comprises a metal electrode generating the electric arc necessary for welding. In addition, the material constituting this electrode is used, in addition to its function of generating the electric arc, as a metallic element for the welding of the zone to be welded 26 and of the anchor 52. It is understood from this that during the welding of the zone to be welded 26 and of the anchor 52, at least a part of the metallic electrode is consumed in order to be used as a metallic element for said welding.
Selon un troisième exemple de réalisation alternatif de l’invention, le dispositif de poussée 24 exerce une force supplémentaire au niveau de la zone à souder 26 de sorte à mettre sous pression d’une part la zone à souder 26 de la plaque métallique 1 et d’autre part l’ancrage 52 du massif isolant 14 de la paroi de la cuve. L’arc de cercle électrique généré par la torche 64 soude la zone à souder 26 à l’ancrage 52 sans ajout d’un élément métallique d’apport. According to a third alternative embodiment of the invention, the thrust device 24 exerts an additional force at the level of the zone to be welded 26 so as to pressurize on the one hand the zone to be welded 26 of the metal plate 1 and on the other hand the anchorage 52 of the massif insulation 14 of the wall of the tank. The arc of an electric circle generated by the torch 64 welds the area to be welded 26 to the anchor 52 without adding a filler metal element.
Par ailleurs, le dispositif de soudage 8 comprend au moins un élément de translation 65 de la torche 64 par rapport au dispositif de poussée 24, l’élément de translation 65 adaptant la position de la torche 64 le long de la direction de poussée D. En d’autres termes, l’élément de translation 65 contient par exemple un vérin permettant de rapprocher et/ou d’éloigner la torche 64 de la plaque métallique 1, et plus particulièrement de la zone à souder 26. Dans cette configuration, la torche 64 est déplacé d’au moins 0.5 millimètre et d’au plus 5 millimètres, et avantageusement de 1 à 2 millimètres. Furthermore, the welding device 8 comprises at least one translation element 65 of the torch 64 relative to the thrust device 24, the translation element 65 adapting the position of the torch 64 along the thrust direction D. In other words, the translation element 65 contains for example a jack making it possible to bring the torch 64 closer to and/or further away from the metal plate 1, and more particularly from the zone to be welded 26. In this configuration, the torch 64 is moved by at least 0.5 millimeters and by at most 5 millimeters, and advantageously by 1 to 2 millimeters.
Au cours de l’étape de soudage, l’élément de translation 65 adapte la position de la torche 64 le long de la direction de poussée D, qui pour rappel est sensiblement perpendiculaire par rapport à un plan principal d’extension de la plaque métallique 1. On comprend que durant le soudage réalisé par la torche 64 au niveau de la zone à souder 26 et de l’ancrage 52, l’élément de translation 65 adapte la distance entre la torche et la zone à souder 26 pour optimiser la soudure en train d’être réalisée. Avantageusement, l’élément de translation 65 adapte la position de la torche 64, le long de la direction de poussée D, par rapport à la zone à souder 26 durant toute la durée pendant laquelle la torche 64 soude la plaque métallique 1 au massif isolant 14 au niveau de la zone à souder 26. During the welding step, the translation element 65 adapts the position of the torch 64 along the thrust direction D, which as a reminder is substantially perpendicular with respect to a main plane of extension of the metal plate. 1. It is understood that during the welding carried out by the torch 64 at the level of the zone to be welded 26 and of the anchor 52, the translation element 65 adapts the distance between the torch and the zone to be welded 26 to optimize the weld being carried out. Advantageously, the translation element 65 adapts the position of the torch 64, along the direction of thrust D, with respect to the zone to be welded 26 throughout the duration during which the torch 64 welds the metal plate 1 to the insulating block. 14 at the area to be welded 26.
Une fois le soudage de la zone à souder 26 à l’ancrage 52, le dispositif de poussée 24 et le dispositif de soudage 8 sont déplacés par le moyen 28 vers une autre zone à souder 26, et ainsi de suite jusqu’à ce que l’ensemble des zones à souder 26 de la plaque métallique 1 soient soudées aux ancrages 52 du massif isolant 14 de la paroi de la cuve. Once the zone to be welded 26 has been welded to the anchor 52, the pushing device 24 and the welding device 8 are moved by the means 28 towards another zone to be welded 26, and so on until all of the zones 26 to be welded on the metal plate 1 are welded to the anchors 52 of the insulating mass 14 of the wall of the vessel.
Selon l’invention, le procédé comprend également une étape de séparation au cours de laquelle l’outil de construction 2 se désolidarise de la plaque métallique 1. Une fois l’ensemble des zones à souder 26 soudées aux ancrages 52 du massif isolant 14 de la paroi de cuve, la plaque métallique 1 est correctement fixée au massif isolant 14 de la paroi de la cuve. Dans ces conditions, l’outil de construction 2 n’a plus fonction à maintenir la plaque métallique 1 contre le massif isolant 14 et se désolidarise de cette dernière. En d’autres termes, le dispositif de préhension 6 se détache de la plaque métallique 1. Une fois l’outil de construction 2 libre de la plaque métallique 1, le procédé est itéré de sorte que l’outil de construction 2 peut réaliser de nouveau l’étape de préhension d’une autre plaque métallique 1, l’étape de positionnement de ladite plaque métallique 1, l’étape de poussée et l’étape de soudage de cette autre plaque métallique 1 au massif isolant 14. Ce procédé est avantageusement réalisé jusqu’à ce que l’ensemble des plaques métalliques 1 aient été fixées contre le massif isolant 14 de la paroi de la cuve et/ou que la membrane d’étanchéité primaire de la paroi de la cuve soit entièrement construite. According to the invention, the method also comprises a separation step during which the construction tool 2 separates from the metal plate 1. Once all the zones to be welded 26 have been welded to the anchors 52 of the insulating mass 14 of the vessel wall, the metal plate 1 is correctly fixed to the insulating mass 14 of the vessel wall. Under these conditions, the construction tool 2 no longer has the function of holding the metal plate 1 against the insulating block 14 and separates from the latter. In other words, the gripping device 6 detaches from the metal plate 1. Once the construction tool 2 is free from the metal plate 1, the method is iterated so that the construction tool 2 can once again perform the step of gripping another metal plate 1, the step of positioning of said metal plate 1, the step of pushing and the step of welding this other metal plate 1 to the insulating mass 14. This process is advantageously carried out until all of the metal plates 1 have been fixed against the insulating mass 14 of the wall of the tank and/or that the primary sealing membrane of the wall of the tank is entirely constructed.
La présente invention ne saurait toutefois se limiter aux moyens et configurations décrits et illustrés ici et elle s’étend également à tout moyen et configuration équivalents ainsi qu’à toute combinaison techniquement opérante de tels moyens. En particulier, l’ordre chronologique décrit ici de certaines étapes et sous-étapes n’est pas limitatif et peut être réalisé selon un autre ordre de réalisation. 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 chronological order described here of certain steps and sub-steps is not limiting and can be carried out according to another order of execution.

Claims

REVENDICATIONS
1. Procédé pour assembler une membrane d’étanchéité sur un massif isolant (14) d’une paroi d’une cuve au moyen d’un outil de construction (2) comprenant un bâti (4) portant au moins un dispositif de préhension (6) et un dispositif de soudage (8), la membrane d’étanchéité comprenant au moins une plaque métallique (1), le procédé comprenant : une étape de préhension de la plaque métallique (1) par l’intermédiaire du dispositif de préhension (6) de l’outil de construction (2), une étape de positionnement de la plaque métallique (1) contre le massif isolant (14) de la paroi de la cuve, une étape de poussée de la plaque métallique (1) contre le massif isolant (14) de la paroi de la cuve, et au moins une étape de soudage de la plaque métallique (1) sur le massif isolant (14) de la paroi de la cuve par l’intermédiaire du dispositif de soudage (8) de l’outil de construction (2). 1. Method for assembling a waterproofing membrane on an insulating mass (14) of a wall of a tank by means of a construction tool (2) comprising a frame (4) carrying at least one gripping device ( 6) and a welding device (8), the sealing membrane comprising at least one metal plate (1), the method comprising: a step of gripping the metal plate (1) via the gripping device ( 6) of the construction tool (2), a step of positioning the metal plate (1) against the insulating mass (14) of the wall of the tank, a step of pushing the metal plate (1) against the insulating mass (14) of the wall of the vessel, and at least one step of welding the metal plate (1) to the insulating mass (14) of the wall of the vessel via the welding device (8) of the construction tool (2).
2. Procédé pour assembler une membrane d’étanchéité selon la revendication 1, dans lequel la plaque métallique (1) comprend au moins une onde (10, 10a, 10b), le dispositif de préhension (6) comprenant une mâchoire (32) mobile entre une position libre et une position de préhension, procédé au cours duquel, durant l’étape de préhension, l’outil de construction (2) positionne le dispositif de préhension (6) au niveau de l’onde (10, 10a, 10b) de la plaque métallique (1), la mâchoire (32) passant de la position libre à la position de préhension pour rendre solidaire la plaque métallique (1) du bâti (4) de l’outil de construction (2). 2. Method for assembling a waterproofing membrane according to claim 1, in which the metal plate (1) comprises at least one wave (10, 10a, 10b), the gripping device (6) comprising a jaw (32) movable between a free position and a gripping position, in which process, during the gripping step, the construction tool (2) positions the gripping device (6) at the level of the wave (10, 10a, 10b ) of the metal plate (1), the jaw (32) moving from the free position to the gripping position to secure the metal plate (1) to the frame (4) of the construction tool (2).
3. Procédé pour assembler une membrane d’étanchéité selon la revendication 1, dans lequel la plaque métallique (1) comprend au moins une surface plane (30), le dispositif de préhension (6) comprenant une ventouse (21), procédé au cours duquel, durant l’étape de préhension, l’outil de construction (2) positionne le dispositif de préhension (6) au niveau de la surface plane (30) de la plaque métallique (1), la ventouse (21) rendant solidaire la plaque métallique (1) du bâti (4) de l’outil de construction (2). 3. Method for assembling a waterproofing membrane according to claim 1, in which the metal plate (1) comprises at least one flat surface (30), the gripping device (6) comprising a suction cup (21), method during which, during the gripping step, the construction tool (2) positions the gripping device (6) at the level of the flat surface (30) of the metal plate (1), the suction cup (21) securing the metal plate (1) of the frame (4) of the construction tool (2).
4. Procédé pour assembler une membrane d’étanchéité selon l’une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans lequel l’outil de construction (2) est porté par un appareil de construction (36), procédé au cours duquel, durant l’étape de positionnement, l’appareil de construction (36) déplace l’outil de construction (2) et la plaque métallique (1) vers le massif isolant (14) de la paroi de la cuve. 4. Method for assembling a waterproofing membrane according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the construction tool (2) is carried by a construction device (36), method during which, during the step of positioning, the device construction (36) moves the construction tool (2) and the metal plate (1) towards the insulating mass (14) of the wall of the tank.
5. Procédé pour assembler une membrane d’étanchéité selon l’une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans lequel le massif isolant (14) de la paroi de la cuve comprend au moins un ancrage (52), la plaque métallique (1) comprenant au moins une zone à souder (26), procédé au cours duquel, durant l’étape de positionnement, l’outil de construction (2) positionne la plaque métallique (1) contre le massif isolant (14) de la paroi de la cuve de sorte que la zone à souder (26) de la plaque métallique (1) se superpose sur l’ancrage (52) du massif isolant (14) de la paroi de la cuve. 5. Method for assembling a sealing membrane according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the insulating mass (14) of the wall of the tank comprises at least one anchor (52), the metal plate (1) comprising at at least one zone to be welded (26), method during which, during the positioning step, the construction tool (2) positions the metal plate (1) against the insulating mass (14) of the wall of the so that the area to be welded (26) of the metal plate (1) is superimposed on the anchoring (52) of the insulating mass (14) of the wall of the tank.
6. Procédé pour assembler une membrane d’étanchéité selon l’une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans lequel l’outil de construction (2) comprend un dispositif de poussée (24), l’outil de construction (2) comprenant un moyen (28, 54, 56, 58, 60, 62) autorisant un déplacement du dispositif de poussée (24) et/ou du dispositif de soudage (8) par rapport au bâti (4), la plaque métallique (1) comprenant au moins une zone à souder (26) au massif isolant (14) de la paroi de la cuve, procédé au cours duquel, durant l’étape de poussée, le moyen (28, 54, 56, 58, 60, 62) autorisant un déplacement du dispositif de poussée (24) et/ou du dispositif de soudage (8) par rapport au bâti (4) déplace le dispositif de poussée (24) et/ou le dispositif de soudage (8) à proximité de la zone à souder (26) de la plaque métallique (1). 6. Method for assembling a waterproofing membrane according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the construction tool (2) comprises a pushing device (24), the construction tool (2) comprising means ( 28, 54, 56, 58, 60, 62) allowing the pushing device (24) and/or the welding device (8) to move relative to the frame (4), the metal plate (1) comprising at least one zone to be welded (26) to the insulating block (14) of the wall of the vessel, a process during which, during the pushing step, the means (28, 54, 56, 58, 60, 62) allowing movement of the pushing device (24) and/or the welding device (8) relative to the frame (4) moves the pushing device (24) and/or the welding device (8) close to the zone to be welded (26 ) of the metal plate (1).
7. Procédé pour assembler une membrane d’étanchéité selon la revendication 6, durant lequel, au cours de l’étape de poussée, le dispositif de poussée (24) exerce une force (F) contre la paroi métallique (1) au niveau de la zone à souder (26), la force (F) étant exercée selon une direction de poussée sensiblement perpendiculaire à un plan d’extension principale de la paroi métallique (1). 7. Method for assembling a waterproofing membrane according to claim 6, during which, during the pushing step, the pushing device (24) exerts a force (F) against the metal wall (1) at the level of the area to be welded (26), the force (F) being exerted in a thrust direction substantially perpendicular to a main extension plane of the metal wall (1).
8. Procédé pour assembler une membrane d’étanchéité selon l’une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans lequel la plaque métallique (1) comprend au moins une zone à souder (26) prenant la forme d’une fente le long de laquelle le dispositif de soudage (8) se déplace pour opérer une soudure entre la plaque métallique (1) et le massif isolant (14) pendant l’étape de soudage. 8. Method for assembling a waterproofing membrane according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the metal plate (1) comprises at least one zone to be welded (26) taking the form of a slot along which the device welding (8) moves to operate a weld between the metal plate (1) and the insulating block (14) during the welding step.
9. Procédé pour assembler une membrane d’étanchéité selon l’une quelconque des revendications 6 à 8 en combinaison avec la revendication 5, dans lequel le dispositif de soudage (8) comprend au moins une torche (64), procédé au cours duquel, durant l’étape de soudage, la torche (64) réalise une soudure reliant la zone à souder (26) de la plaque métallique (1) à l’ancrage (52) du massif isolant (14) de la paroi de la cuve. 9. Method for assembling a waterproofing membrane according to any one of claims 6 to 8 in combination with claim 5, in which the welding device (8) comprises at least one torch (64), a process during which, during the welding step, the torch (64) performs a weld connecting the area to be welded (26) of the metal plate (1) to the anchoring (52) of the insulating mass (14) of the wall of the tank.
10. Procédé pour assembler une membrane d’étanchéité selon la revendication précédente, dans lequel le dispositif de soudage (8) comprend au moins un élément de déplacement (66) de la torche (64) par rapport au dispositif de poussée (24), procédé durant lequel, au cours de l’étape de soudage, la torche (64) est déplacée par l’élément de déplacement (66) le long de la zone à souder (26). 10. Method for assembling a sealing membrane according to the preceding claim, in which the welding device (8) comprises at least one displacement element (66) of the torch (64) relative to the thrust device (24), method in which, during the welding step, the torch (64) is moved by the displacement element (66) along the zone to be welded (26).
11. Procédé pour assembler une membrane d’étanchéité selon l’une quelconque des revendications 9 ou 10, dans lequel le dispositif de soudage (8) comprend au moins un élément de translation (65) de la torche (64) par rapport au dispositif de poussée (24), procédé durant lequel, au cours de l’étape de soudage, l’élément de translation (65) adapte la position de la torche (64) le long d’une direction (D) sensiblement perpendiculaire par rapport à un plan principal d’extension de la plaque métallique (1). 11. Method for assembling a sealing membrane according to any one of claims 9 or 10, in which the welding device (8) comprises at least one translation element (65) of the torch (64) relative to the device (24), a process in which, during the welding step, the translation element (65) adapts the position of the torch (64) along a direction (D) substantially perpendicular with respect to a main extension plane of the metal plate (1).
12. Procédé pour assembler une membrane d’étanchéité selon l’une quelconque des revendications précédentes, comprenant une étape de séparation au cours de laquelle l’outil de construction (2) se désolidarise de la plaque métallique (1). 12. Method for assembling a waterproofing membrane according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a separation step during which the construction tool (2) separates from the metal plate (1).
13. Procédé pour assembler une membrane d’étanchéité selon l’une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans lequel l’outil de construction (2) comprend un organe de translation (25) disposé au niveau d’un bras (18) du bâti (4) portant au niveau de son extrémité libre le dispositif de préhension (6), procédé comprenant une étape de rapprochement ou d’éloignement durant laquelle l’organe de translation (25) rapproche ou éloigne le dispositif de préhension (6) du bâti (4). 13. Method for assembling a waterproofing membrane according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the construction tool (2) comprises a translation member (25) arranged at the level of an arm (18) of the frame ( 4) carrying at its free end the gripping device (6), method comprising a step of approaching or distancing during which the translation member (25) moves the gripping device (6) towards or away from the frame ( 4).
14. Procédé pour assembler une membrane d’étanchéité selon l’une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans lequel l’outil de construction (2) comprend une pluralité d’articulations (49) et une pluralité de vérins (48), procédé au cours duquel, durant l’étape de positionnement, la pluralité d’articulations (49) oriente la plaque métallique (1) de sorte qu’un plan d’extension principale de la plaque métallique (1) s’étende parallèlement à un plan d’extension générale du massif isolant (14) de la paroi de la cuve, la pluralité de vérins (48) poussant la plaque métallique (1) contre le massif isolant (14) de la paroi de la cuve. 14. Method for assembling a waterproofing membrane according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the construction tool (2) comprises a plurality of joints (49) and a plurality of cylinders (48), method during which, during the positioning step, the plurality of joints (49) orient the metal plate (1) so that a main extension plane of the metal plate (1) extends parallel to a plane of general extension of the insulating block (14) of the wall of the tank, the plurality of cylinders (48) pushing the metal plate (1) against the insulating block (14) of the wall of the tank.
PCT/FR2022/050420 2021-03-12 2022-03-08 Method for assembling a sealing membrane of a wall of a tank WO2022189753A1 (en)

Priority Applications (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
CN202280020759.9A CN117083145A (en) 2021-03-12 2022-03-08 Method for assembling sealing film of wall of can
KR1020237031808A KR20230157361A (en) 2021-03-12 2022-03-08 How to assemble the sealing membrane of the wall of the tank

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
FR2102437A FR3120556B1 (en) 2021-03-12 2021-03-12 Process for assembling a waterproofing membrane for a tank wall
FRFR2102437 2021-03-12

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2022189753A1 true WO2022189753A1 (en) 2022-09-15

Family

ID=76034745

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/FR2022/050420 WO2022189753A1 (en) 2021-03-12 2022-03-08 Method for assembling a sealing membrane of a wall of a tank

Country Status (4)

Country Link
KR (1) KR20230157361A (en)
CN (1) CN117083145A (en)
FR (1) FR3120556B1 (en)
WO (1) WO2022189753A1 (en)

Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2930883A (en) * 1957-12-23 1960-03-29 Ckd Ceska Lipa Narodni Podnik Apparatus for automatic arc-welding circular seams
DE3519696A1 (en) * 1984-06-11 1985-12-12 Osakeyhtiö Tampella AB, Tampere Installation for positioning a piece to be welded and for welding this piece to another piece
US5726417A (en) * 1993-04-16 1998-03-10 Claussen; Carsten M. Method and device for welding a weld-on part and a base part
WO2013083892A1 (en) * 2011-12-08 2013-06-13 Gaztransport Et Technigaz Construction of a fluidtight membrane from metal plates

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2930883A (en) * 1957-12-23 1960-03-29 Ckd Ceska Lipa Narodni Podnik Apparatus for automatic arc-welding circular seams
DE3519696A1 (en) * 1984-06-11 1985-12-12 Osakeyhtiö Tampella AB, Tampere Installation for positioning a piece to be welded and for welding this piece to another piece
US5726417A (en) * 1993-04-16 1998-03-10 Claussen; Carsten M. Method and device for welding a weld-on part and a base part
WO2013083892A1 (en) * 2011-12-08 2013-06-13 Gaztransport Et Technigaz Construction of a fluidtight membrane from metal plates

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
FR3120556B1 (en) 2023-11-24
CN117083145A (en) 2023-11-17
FR3120556A1 (en) 2022-09-16
KR20230157361A (en) 2023-11-16

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
EP2986886B1 (en) Sealed and thermally insulated tank
EP2729728B1 (en) Thermally-insulating sealed tank built into a load-bearing structure
EP2729729B1 (en) Thermally-insulating sealed tank
EP3286489B1 (en) Sealed and thermally insulated tank fitted with a through-element
FR2983751A1 (en) CONSTRUCTION OF A SEALED MEMBRANE FROM METAL PLATES
WO2016034792A1 (en) Corner piece intended for the construction of a sealing membrane of a fluid storage tank
FR3073600A1 (en) METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING A THERMAL INSULATION BARRIER OF A WALL OF A TANK AND A THERMAL INSULATION BARRIER THUS OBTAINED
FR3054872A1 (en) SEALED WALL STRUCTURE
FR3082916A1 (en) METHOD FOR ASSEMBLING A LIQUID DOME
FR3112588A1 (en) Wall of a liquefied gas storage tank
FR3073270B1 (en) SEALED AND THERMALLY INSULATING TANK WITH DEVICES FOR ANCHORING PRIMARY INSULATION PANELS ON SECONDARY INSULATING PANELS
WO2022189753A1 (en) Method for assembling a sealing membrane of a wall of a tank
WO2018122498A1 (en) Sealed and thermally insulating tank for storing a fluid
WO2020254771A1 (en) Method for installing a drive assembly for a pump of an offloading tower for a tank of a floating structure employing an adjusting device
WO2019145635A1 (en) Sealed, thermally insulating tank
WO2022189752A1 (en) Tool for constructing a wall of a sealed and thermally insulating tank
FR3121730A1 (en) Anchoring device intended to retain insulating blocks
FR3111410A1 (en) Liquid dome of a storage tank for liquefied gas
FR3082593A1 (en) WATERPROOF TANK PROVIDED WITH A CORRUGATED JUNCTION ELEMENT
WO2020079347A1 (en) Method for welding a fluid-tight membrane of a tank
WO2020021189A1 (en) Welding a sealing membrane of a thermal insulation body of a tank
WO2022152794A1 (en) Storage facility for liquefied gas
FR3077115A1 (en) SEALED AND THERMALLY INSULATED TANK.
FR3118796A1 (en) Storage facility for liquefied gas
FR3131360A1 (en) Storage facility for liquefied gas

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
121 Ep: the epo has been informed by wipo that ep was designated in this application

Ref document number: 22713440

Country of ref document: EP

Kind code of ref document: A1

WWE Wipo information: entry into national phase

Ref document number: 2023122774

Country of ref document: RU

WWE Wipo information: entry into national phase

Ref document number: 202280020759.9

Country of ref document: CN

ENP Entry into the national phase

Ref document number: 20237031808

Country of ref document: KR

Kind code of ref document: A

NENP Non-entry into the national phase

Ref country code: DE