WO2022189753A1

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

Info

Publication number: WO2022189753A1
Application number: PCT/FR2022/050420
Authority: WO
Inventors: Michaël BIDENBACH; Jean-Baptiste Hubert; Nicolas LAURAIN
Original assignee: Gaztransport Et Technigaz
Priority date: 2021-03-12
Filing date: 2022-03-08
Publication date: 2022-09-15
Also published as: FR3120556B1; CN117083145A; FR3120556A1; KR20230157361A

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

Title: Process for assembling a waterproofing membrane of a wall of a tank

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. 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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. 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Furthermore, the weld made by the welding device is performed between the slot of the metal plate and an anchoring of the insulating mass.

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.

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.

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.

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.

According to another optional characteristic of the invention, the method comprises a separation step during which the construction tool separates from the metal plate.

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.

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.

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.

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] 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.

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.

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. 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).

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 .

Each of the process steps mentioned above takes place independently of one another.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

During the pushing step, the pushing device 24 exerts a force against the metal wall at the area to be welded 26.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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.