EP3038895B1 - System for transferring fluid between a fixed or floating facility for producing or storing fluid and a vessel such as a liquid natural gas carrier - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a fluid transfer system between a fixed or floating fluid production or storage installation and a vessel such as a shuttle LNG carrier, of the type comprising at least one articulated arm arrangement which comprises an articulated inner arm with one end by a horizontal axis joint to a support structure, so as to pivot in a vertical plane, and an outer arm articulated at one end to the outer end of the inner arm, by a rotary joint whose axis is oriented horizontally when the outer arm extends vertically, and carrying at its free end a connection / disconnection device to one or a ship manifold, the articulated arm arrangement further comprising a balancing counterweight of the outer arm which is mounted on an axial extension of the inner arm at the support structure and connected to the outer arm by connecting means), the extension in also being a balancing counterweight of the outer arm.

A transfer system of this type is already known from the European patent application EP 0 171 136 . The system described in this document does not allow a lateral displacement of the connection / disconnection device in a vertical pivot plane to the inner arm.

In the system described in the French patent application FR 2,903,653 , the rotation joint whose axis extends in the longitudinal direction of the arm is disposed at the joint to the outer arm, which has the disadvantage that a relatively large weight is placed at the free end of the Inner arm. On the other hand, a heavy and cumbersome part of this system, comprising at least one rotary joint is transferred to the shuttle LNG carrier or it is mounted on the manifold.

Another major disadvantage lies in the fact that the outer arm is not balanced.

To these disadvantages is added the fact that because of the architecture of the arm device, the emergency disconnection device is vertical so that, in case of emergency disconnection, the abandoned part of this device on the methane shuttle can switch.

The invention aims to overcome these disadvantages.

This object is achieved by a transfer system according to claim 1.

According to the invention, the system comprises means for balancing the outer arm.

According to the invention, the counterbalancing means of the outer arm comprise a counterweight which is mounted on the support structure side end of the inner arm, so as to rotate with this arm when it is rotating about its longitudinal axis, and is connected to the outer arm by connecting means.

In one embodiment, the balancing counterweight of the outer arm is disposed at an angle of a connecting mechanism to the inner and outer arms, in the form of a parallelogram deformable and rotationally integral with the inner arm.

In one embodiment, the counterweight is disposed at one end of a rod device 28 whose other end is hinged to the inner arm, and in that the counterweight is hinged at one end of a connecting rod. whose other end is articulated in an axial extension (31) of the outer arm, the side of the articulation to the inner arm.

In one embodiment, the rod device is articulated to an axial extension provided of the inner arm, on the support side, and carrying the balancing counterweight of the inner arm.

In one embodiment, the connection / disconnection device to / or a ship manifold comprises three rotary joints whose rotary axes are perpendicular to each other, an emergency disconnection mechanism and detachable connection means to manifold, in that the emergency disconnection mechanism is arranged in particular beside the connecting means being axially aligned with these means and the manifold so that, in a case of emergency disconnection, only remains connected to the manifold that part of the emergency disconnect mechanism and the connecting means.

In one embodiment, the support structure is a support pole.

In one embodiment, the system comprises a plurality of articulated arm arrangements each mounted on a support structure, next to others, so that they can be connected to ship manifolds without interfering with each other.

• la figure 1 est une vue en perspective d'un système de transfert d'un fluide selon l'invention, dans une position déployée ;
• la figure 2 est une vue latérale du système selon la figure 1, connecté à un manifold de navire ;
• la figure 3 est une vue de face du système selon la figure 1 de l'invention ;
• la figure 4 est une vue de dessus du système selon la figure 1 ;
• la figure 5 est une vue en perspective d'un système comportant une pluralité d'agencements du bras articulés selon l'invention connectés à plusieurs manifolds d'un navire ;
• la figure 6 est une vue de face du système selon la figure 5 ;
• la figure 7 est une vue en perspective d'un dispositif de connexion / déconnexion selon l'invention ;
• la figure 8 est une vue de face du système de connexion / déconnexion, dans sa position connectée au manifold, avant une déconnexion d'urgence, et
• la figure 9 est une vue latérale du manifold après une déconnexion d'urgence.

The invention will be better understood, and other objects, features, details and advantages thereof will appear more clearly in the following explanatory description made with reference to the accompanying schematic drawings given solely by way of example illustrating a embodiment of the invention and in which:

• the figure 1 is a perspective view of a fluid transfer system according to the invention, in an extended position;
• the figure 2 is a side view of the system according to the figure 1 connected to a ship manifold;
• the figure 3 is a front view of the system according to the figure 1 of the invention;
• the figure 4 is a top view of the system according to the figure 1 ;
• the figure 5 is a perspective view of a system comprising a plurality of articulated arm arrangements according to the invention connected to a plurality of manifolds of a ship;
• the figure 6 is a front view of the system according to the figure 5 ;
• the figure 7 is a perspective view of a connection / disconnection device according to the invention;
• the figure 8 is a front view of the connection / disconnection system, in its position connected to the manifold, before an emergency disconnection, and
• the figure 9 is a side view of the manifold after an emergency disconnect.

As is clear from the Figures 1 to 4 , a system for transferring a fluid system, in particular liquefied natural gas (LNG), comprises at least one articulated arm arrangement 2 intended to be connected to a manifold 4, in accordance with the figure 2 , a ship such as a shuttle LNG carrier (not shown), the articulated arm arrangement being part of a fixed or floating plant for producing or storing the fluid.

The articulated arm device 2 comprises a support structure, made in the example shown, in the form of a vertical support pole 6, at the top of which is pivotally mounted in a vertical plane, via a first joint rotating horizontal axis 8, an inner arm 10 which carries at its free end an outer arm 12 which is articulated to the arm 10 by a second rotary joint 14 whose axis is oriented horizontally when the arm extends vertically. At the free end of the outer arm 12 is mounted a connection / disconnection device 16 with three rotary joints, which is intended to be connected to the manifold 4 of a ship.

The articulated arm arrangement 2 comprises a third rotary joint 18 whose axis extends in the longitudinal direction of the inner arm 10 and which is disposed at the joint of this arm to the support pole 6. This joint 18 allows the inner arm 10 to rotate about its longitudinal axis and thus the connection / disconnection device 16 to move perpendicularly to the vertical pivot plane of the inner arm 10.

More specifically, it is found that the inner arm 10 is supported via the rotary joint 18, by a part 20 which is pivotally mounted on a lateral face at the top of the support mast 6 so as to establish the rotary joint with horizontal axis 8. The seal 18 is made for example by a ball bearing.

The articulated arm arrangement 2 is balanced by a counterweight device 22 comprising a first counterweight 24 which is disposed at the end of an extension 25 of the arm 10 at the hinge side at the mast 6. A second counterweight 27 is mounted on the extension 25 by means of a rod device 28 hinged at 26 to the extension 25 and is situated in the state of rest without rotation of the arm 10 in the vertical pivoting plane of this arm 10. In this position, the pivot axis 26 of the rod device extends perpendicularly to this vertical plane.

The counterweight 27 is further connected by a connecting rod 29 to the end of an axial extension 31 of the outer arm 12, to the side of the articulation of this outer arm 12 to the inner arm 10 via the rotary joint 14. The ends of the connecting rod 29 are articulated respectively to the counterweight 27 and to the end of the extension 31, at 32 and 33, so that the counterweight 27 is disposed at an angle of a deformable parallelogram formed by the inner arm 10 and the connecting rod 29, on the one hand, and the rod device 28 and the extension 31, on the other hand, with pivoting axes 26, 32, 33 and the gasket 14.

This parallelogram is secured to the inner arm 10 so as to pivot with the arm when it rotates about its longitudinal axis. The counterweight 27 thus forms a means of self-balancing the outer arm 12, while the counterweight 24 balances the inner arm 10.

Regarding the connection / disconnection device 16, to / from the manifold 4 of a ship, it comprises three rotary joints 34, 36, 38 in the order from the end of the arm 12, whose rotary axes are perpendicular to each other, an emergency disconnection mechanism 40 disposed between the seals 36 and 38 and the means 42 of removable connection to the manifold 4.

The Figures 7 to 9 show an improved embodiment of the connection / disconnection device 16. This embodiment of the connection / disconnection device 16 is adapted to be connected to a horizontal manifold 4 without remaining connected to the manifold a part which is capable of pivoting around. the axis of the manifold after an emergency disconnection.

For this purpose, the emergency disconnect mechanism 40 is disposed between the last rotary seal 38 and the connector means 42. The emergency disconnect mechanism 40 and the connector 42 are axially aligned with each other and with the manifold. Thus, after emergency disconnection, only one half 40 'of the emergency disconnect mechanism 40 and the connector 42 remain connected to the manifold. The invention thus makes it possible to avoid the tilting of the abandoned part, remaining on the manifold.

Advantageously, the emergency disconnection mechanism 40 is a double butterfly valve system, to reduce the mass and bulk, on the one hand, but also the residual volume of liquefied natural gas between the two valves. Such a system is described in the European patent EP 1 405 003 .

In the foregoing, a transfer system according to the invention has been described which comprises only an arrangement of articulated arms 2. figures 5 and 6 show a system according to the invention, which comprises a plurality of articulated arm arrangements, in the example shown four, three of which are shown in the connected state to a manifold 4 while the fourth is in the folded position of rest. The figures illustrate an advantage of the invention, which lies in the fact that the connection / disconnection devices 16 of the adjacent articulated arm arrangements 2 are not likely to interfere with each other when coming into contact with each other and that they There is no sweeping of the bridge by the arms.

It should be noted that the invention is designed to transfer fluid including liquefied natural gas (LNG).

The system according to the invention has multiple advantages. It was designed so that the forces exerted on a manifold of a ship, such as a shuttle LNG carrier, are very weak. Since the wind in the longitudinal direction of the ships is a major element for creating forces by the articulated arm arrangement on the manifold, the invention makes it possible to reduce these forces substantially by making the inner arm pivot only in a single plane. vertical. Thus, the end of the inner arm which carries the outer arm becomes for the latter a "fixed" point of support in the longitudinal direction of the ships. Only the effects of the wind transmitted to the lower end of the outer arm have an impact on the forces at the manifold, which significantly reduces the forces at the manifold.

Balancing not only the inner arm, but also the outer arm minimizes the forces imposed by the arms on the manifolds of the shuttle LNG carriers. The mass mobilized by the movements of the shuttle tankers is minimal because the counterweights are arranged at the level of the support mast 6.

The invention makes it possible to increase the structural stiffness of the arms, which makes it possible to reduce significantly the effect of the vibrations and to avoid phenomena of dynamic amplifications of the efforts.

It should be noted that the connection of an articulated arm arrangement according to the invention can be made by maneuvering this arrangement by an operator assisted by a vessel movement compensation system which is known per se. In a first step, the operator operates the arm and positions it in an intermediate position. Then, in the next step, the motion compensation system is started so that the end follows the movements of the manifold. Finally, in the third step, the motion compensation system is still running and the operator directs the advance of the end of the outer arm to the manifold and makes the connection. Of course, the connection could also be made completely automatically. For this purpose, the outer arm starts from its stowed position or an intermediate position and automatically connects to the manifold without direct operator intervention. These connection maneuvers are simplified by the fact that the mass of moving parts is minimized.

Since the emergency disconnect device is horizontal and directly adjacent to the quick connect / disconnect connection, in case of emergency disconnection, the abandoned part on the manifold is reduced, and can not be tilted.

Of course, multiple modifications can be made to the invention as described and shown in the figures, without departing from the scope of the invention. Thus, concerning the joints 8, 18 and 14, the realization of their rotary joints with dissociation of their mechanical functions and fluid passage is not mandatory and these joints can be implemented in any other appropriate manner known.

Claims (6)

1. A system for transferring fluid between a fixed or floating facility for producing or storing fluid and a vessel such as a liquid natural gas carrier, of the type comprising at least one arrangement of articulated arms (2) that includes an inner arm (10) articulated at one end by a joint with a horizontal axis (8) to a support structure (6), so as to pivot in a vertical plane, and an outer arm (12) articulated at one end to the outer end of the inner arm (10), by a rotary joint (14) whereof the arm is oriented horizontally when the outer arm (12) extends vertically, and bearing, at its free end, a device (16) for connecting/disconnecting to or from a ship manifold (4), the arrangement of articulated arms (2) further including a balancing counterweight (27) of the outer arm (12), which is mounted on an axial extension (25) of the inner arm (10) at the support structure (6) and connected to the outer arm (12) by connecting means (29), the extension (25) also supporting a balancing counterweight (24) of the inner arm, characterized in that it further comprises a rotary joint (18) whereof the axis extends in the longitudinal direction of the inner arm (10) and which is arranged at the articulation (8) of the inner arm (10) to the support structure (6), the balancing counterweight of the outer arm (12) being mounted on the inner arm (10) so as to rotate with this arm when the latter rotates around its longitudinal axis.
2. The system according to claim 1, characterized in that the counterweight (27) is arranged at one end of a control rod device (28) whereof the other end is articulated to the inner arm (10), and in that the counterweight (27) is articulated in (32) to an end of a connecting rod (29) whereof the other end is articulated in (33) to an axial extension (31) of the outer arm (12), next to the articulation (14) to the inner arm (10).
3. The system according to claim 2, characterized in that the control rod device (28) is articulated to a provided axial extension (25) of the inner arm (10), on the support side, and bearing the balancing counterweight (24) of the inner arm (10).
4. The system according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the device (16) for connecting/disconnecting to/from a ship manifold (4) comprises three rotary joints (34, 36, 38) whereof the rotary axes are perpendicular to one another, an emergency disconnect mechanism (40) and removable coupling means (42) to the manifold (4), in that the emergency disconnect mechanism (40) is in particular arranged next to coupling means (42) while being axially aligned with these means and the manifold (4) such that, in case of emergency disconnect, only part (40') of the emergency disconnect mechanism (40) and the coupling means (42) remains connected to the manifold.
5. The system according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the support structure (6) is a support mast.
6. The system according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that it comprises a plurality of arrangements of articulated arms (2) each mounted on a support structure (6), next to one another, such that [they] can be connected to ship manifolds without bothering one another.

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