ES2683779B1 - SUBMERSIBLE PONTONA AND OPERATION PROCEDURE - Google Patents

Description

SUBMERSIBLE PONTONA AND OPERATION PROCEDURE

DESCRIPTION

Object of the invention

The present invention relates to a guiding device for submersible platforms, which provides stability to the platform at the time of its sinking, preventing the platform from contacting the bottom of the sea in its sinking. The system is applicable in any type of submersible platform, then it is applicable in platforms used for the construction of drawers.

Technical problem to solve and background of the invention

Floating reinforced concrete drawers are a common technology for the construction of gravity works in the maritime and port areas. A floating drawer is a large prismatic block, composed of a slab of slab and a set of concrete walls that make up a multicellular shaft, so that the drawer thus lightened floats in the water, allowing its handling and transport to its location definitive When the drawer has reached its final location, it is ballasted (initially with water and then with solid material) so that its total weight allows it to resist the thrusts for which the drawer has been designed.

The construction of said drawers can be done in two ways:

- in a park on land, or

- through floating installations.

The construction of a drawer by floating installations is the usual method of construction in Spain. This procedure consists in the use of a floating platform that serves as support for the hearth in its construction (as lower formwork) and additionally supports the weight of the drawer as the shaft is constructed.

Given the geometry of the straight prism of the drawer, the shaft is usually executed by means of sliding formwork, for this a formwork of a height between 1.0 and 1.2 m is placed on the floor, the concrete is poured and the formwork is raised simultaneously allowing the setting of the dough before it is out of Formwork in its movement. The sliding process is executed by hydraulic jacks that raise a structure that in turn supports the formwork panels and the work platform. To give continuity to the process, the formwork is removed once the slide is finished to place it on the floor of the next drawer.

During the construction process the drawer increases its weight and therefore forces the assembly formed by the drawer plus the floating platform to gradually sink to balance the thrust according to the Archimedes principle. At a certain moment in the construction the floating platform is completely submerged, and at that moment the drawer collaborates in the thrust of the whole drawer plus floating platform.

The floating platform is internally divided into tanks and has ballasting systems that allow to increase its weight during the process, so that the naval stability of the drawer assembly plus floating platform is maintained at all times, so that the platform maintains an upward thrust net while necessary to ensure flotation and stability of the drawer.

As already mentioned once a certain drawer height has been built, said drawer can float and be stable by itself, without the need for the floating platform to collaborate. At this moment the floating platform sinks for its withdrawal and at the same time there is the launching of the drawer.

The critical moment of this procedure occurs at the moment of the separation of the floating platform and the drawer, since the floating platform becomes submarine and its control is lost.

To solve the problem of the lack of control of the floating platform at the time of the separation of the drawer two technologies are known:

- add to the floating platform floating towers, which are floating tanks attached to the floating platform above the deck where the drawer has been manufactured, with a sufficient height so that when the floating platform sinks and allows the drawer to float , a part of the towers continues to emerge avoiding the submarine condition of the floating platform and allows the stability of the platform-tower set,

- guide the floating platform during its descent, maintaining its horizontality and position on the floor, until it rests on the bottom, previously prepared to avoid damaging the floating platform.

The usual way to guide the floating platform during the descent is by means of a system of cables and pulleys that prevents the rotation and forces the corners where the cables are fixed to have a parallel displacement, so that by arranging the system of cables and pulleys in the four bands of the platform (with pulleys in the corners of the same and cables that ascend in said points) the horizontality of the same in its descent is assured, maintaining the position in the same vertical.

For the system of cables and pulleys to work, it is necessary to have fixed resistant points both on the surface and at the bottom in the four corners. Two of these corners do not present a problem because, usually, a spring is available in one of the bands of the floating platform; however, the other two corners require the construction of a vertical element, in each of them, that provides the fixed resistant points. Traditionally the solutions that have been used have been: the construction of a closed U-dock to support three sides, or the placement of concrete block piles with a metal tower on each pile, or placing metal piles on the Two corners not supported.

The system of placing some batteries implies a high cost for the execution and subsequent removal of the towers and for the period necessary for its construction. It must be borne in mind that, except for the metal tower that is a reusable element, the execution of the bench and the concrete piles is a non-recoverable cost and its removal and subsequent location also pose a no lesser problem.

Description of the invention

The invention described discloses a device for guiding a downward movement of a submersible pontoon, the device object of the invention has a number of advantages over the known devices used.

Regarding the installation with concrete block piles and auxiliary towers, the advantages are:

- avoids any intervention on the seabed and the installation of additional elements, in turn reducing execution times;

- The implementation of the system occurs only in time, allowing its amortization in many installations with minimal assembly costs.

- When there is always an emerging part, the situation is allowed on board the control elements (control booth, boilers, etc ...) avoiding their installation on the ground every time;

- In this situation, the entire team is allowed to move if necessary for any reason;

- the operation of the system is independent of the spring draft, since the sinking draft can be adjusted with the length of the guide elements; - Greater versatility is achieved in the equipment, and can be used for launching or refloating other floating devices.

Similarly with floating dock systems with formwork support structure:

- the draft required to manufacture a drawer is independent of the equipment used;

- the system has no limitation of strut to be manufactured;

- there is a significant saving in manufacturing, operation, transport and maintenance materials.

Similarly to systems with flotation towers:

- the device object of the invention does not offer any serious obstacle to the access to the formwork, as it happens with the towers that have an important height on deck.

The submersible pontoon object of the invention comprises a floating platform and a guiding device for a vertical movement of the floating platform.

The device for guiding the vertical movement of the floating platform comprises at least one float, with at least two guides, at least two supports attached to the floating platform, where the guides comprise a stop element located at one end of the guide and where the supports rest on the guides so that the guides direct a vertical movement of the floating platform.

There are two embodiments of the submersible pontoon, in one of them the guiding device comprises a single U-shaped float and in another one the guiding device comprises two floats.

In the second embodiment of the submersible pontoon, the floats are located on opposite sides of the floating platform. Additionally in this second embodiment the submersible pontoon comprises at least two guides in each float.

The submersible pontoon object of the invention comprises a synchronous guidance system of the movement of the floating platform with respect to the at least one float to direct the vertical movement of the floating platform.

The synchronous guidance system of the movement of the floating platform with respect to the submersible pontoon float object of the invention has three possible embodiments.

The first embodiment of the synchronous guidance system of the movement of the floating platform with respect to the float comprises:

- two pairs of pulleys, where each pair of pulleys comprises a first pulley and a second pulley, and where each pair of pulleys is fixed on opposite sides of the floating platform, and

- two cables.

In the first embodiment of the synchronous guidance system of the movement of the floating platform with respect to the synchronous guidance system float each of the two cables joins an upper end of a first guide and a lower end of a second guide and, between the joint with the first guide and the union with the second guide, it goes through a first pulley and a second pulley of different pair of pulleys, the cables being tensioned.

In the first embodiment of the synchronous guidance system of the movement of the floating platform with respect to the float each pair of pulleys is fixed on a support, the supports with a pair of pulleys facing opposite sides of the floating platform.

The second embodiment of the synchronous guidance system of the movement of the Floating platform with respect to the float comprises at least one winch in a float with a winch cable attached at one end to the floating platform.

The third embodiment of the synchronous guidance system of the movement of the floating platform with respect to the float comprises at least one winch in an end zone of a float with a winch cable fixed at a fixing point in an end zone of the float opposite to that of the winch, with said winch cable running through the floating platform by passing through two pulleys.

In the submersible pontoon the guides can be straight linear elements or telescopic parts, or combination of the above.

Each support of the floating platform of the submersible pontoon object of the invention comprises at least one clamp through which a guide runs.

In the submersible pontoon object of the invention the guides are fixed rigidly and in a direction perpendicular to the float.

In the submersible pontoon object of the invention, the supports comprise at least one sliding support that rests on the guide when said guide passes through the interior of said supports.

The object of the invention is also an operation procedure of a submersible pontoon comprising the following steps:

- placing an emerging floating platform with at least one float located on at least two supports fixed to the floating platform, and with at least two guides fixed to the float crossing each support;

- start a downward movement of the floating platform, sliding the supports along the guides, moving the floating platform perpendicular to the guides;

- support the floating platform on stop elements located at the lower ends of the guides;

- move the floating platform by a movement of the at least one float; - elevate the floating platform until it emerges by means of a deflection of said floating platform.

Description of the figures

In order to complete the description and in order to help a better understanding of the characteristics of the invention, this descriptive report is attached, as an integral part thereof, a set of drawings in which with an illustrative and non-limiting nature, the following:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of the pontoon object of the invention.

Figure 2 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the pontoon object of the invention.

Figures 3.1 to 3.3 show perspective views of a sequence of the operation procedure of the device object of the invention.

Figure 4 shows a perspective view from the bottom in which a first embodiment of the synchronous guidance system of the movement of the floating platform with respect to the floats is seen.

Figure 5 shows a perspective view of the pontoon object of the invention incorporating a third embodiment of the synchronous guidance system of the movement of the floating platform with respect to the floats, in the figure a detail is shown with the components of said synchronous guidance system of the movement of the floating platform with respect to the floats.

The different numerical references that are reflected in the figures correspond to the following elements:

1. - horizontal platform,

2. - float,

3. - guide,

4. - support,

5. - stop element,

6. - pair of pulleys,

6a.- first pulley,

6b.- second pulley,

6c.- pulley for cable winch passage,

7. - cable,

8. - sliding support,

9. - winch,

10.-winch cable, and

11.-fixing point.

Preferred Embodiment of the Invention

As already indicated, and as can be seen in the figures, the object of the invention is a submersible pontoon comprising a floating platform (1) and a device for guiding the vertical movement of the floating platform (1). The pontoon object of the invention solves the problems that arise for the descent and recovery of the floating platform (1) used in the construction of floating concrete drawers.

The device for guiding the downward movement of a floating platform (1) of the pontoon object of the invention has two main embodiments, in the preferred embodiment of the invention, it comprises a single U-shaped float (2) that extends on three sides of the floating platform (1) and leaves a free side, in a second embodiment the device for guiding the downward movement of a floating platform (1) comprises two floats (2) that are located on two opposite sides of the floating platform (1).

The U-shaped float (2) comprises two opposite branches and a branch that joins the two opposite branches. From the two opposite branches, located on two opposite sides of the floating platform (1), four guides (3) comprising a stop element (5) at its lower end arise perpendicularly and towards the bottom of the sea. And in the embodiment in which the guiding device of the downward movement of a floating platform (1) comprises two floats (2), from each float (2) four guides (3) perpendicularly and towards the bottom of the sea arise, comprising a stop element (5) at its lower end.

The floating platform (1) comprises a plurality of supports (4), said supports (4) in the preferred embodiment of the invention are configured as clamps through which the guides (3) run, so that the floating platform (1) ) used in the construction of drawers for ports, when it descends as the construction of the drawer evolves, it descends in a way guided as the supports (4) run through the guides (3). The guided movement of the supports (4) by the guides (3) occurs until the floating platform (1) rests on the stop elements (5), once the drawer built floating by itself has been left, which is when a ballast of the floating platform (1) is produced and is free of the weight of the drawer.

In order for the supports (4) to move along the guides (3) in a more comfortable way, said supports (4) comprise sliding supports (8), which in the preferred embodiment of the invention are formed by rollers and are located inside the clamps, to rest on the guides (3).

With the floating platform (1) resting on the abutment elements (5) by means of the supports (4), the floating platform (1) can be extracted from under the drawer constructed by means of a controlled drag of the float (2) or floats (2) , so that the submersible pontoon is taken to a new location for the construction of a new drawer.

The submersible pontoon object of the invention comprises a synchronous guidance system for the movement of the floating platform (1) with respect to the float (2) or floats (2).

The synchronous guidance system has three different embodiments. The first embodiment of the synchronous guidance system comprises two sets of parts, so that the movement of the floating platform (1) in two areas of the floating platform (1) is controlled.

In this first embodiment, each set of pieces comprises two pairs of pulleys (6), a first pair of pulleys (6) fixed to a support (4) of one side of the floating platform (1) and a second pair of pulleys ( 6) fixed to the opposite side of the floating platform (1), and two cables (7). Each pair of pulleys (6) comprises a first pulley (6a) and a second pulley (6b).

In the first embodiment of the synchronous guidance system of the movement of the floating platform (1) with respect to the float (2) or floats (2), each cable (7) takes the following route:

- a first end of the cable (7) is fixed to the upper end of a first guide (3) located on a first side of the floating platform (1),

- the cable passes through a first pulley (6a) fixed to a first support (4) through which the first guide (3) passes,

- the cable then passes through a second pulley (6b) fixed to a second support (4) through which a second guide (3) passes, the second support (4) being on a second side that is opposite the first side of the floating platform (1),

- a second end of the cable (7) is fixed to the lower end of the second guide (3), located in correspondence with the first guide (3) but on the second side.

For the first embodiment of the synchronous guidance system of the movement of the floating platform (1) with respect to the float (2) or the floats (2), the cables (7) must be tensioned.

The second embodiment of the synchronous guidance system comprising a winch (9) in a float (2), with the winch cable (10) fixed by the opposite end of the winch (9) at a point of attachment to the floating platform (1) located on the vertical winch (9).

The synchronous guidance system, in the third embodiment, is formed by two devices located on the floats (2) so that they are symmetrically positioned with respect to the floating platform (1). Each device comprises a winch (9) fixed in an end zone of a float (2) that picks up one end of a winch cable (10) and with the opposite end of said winch cable (10) fixed at a fixing point (11) in an opposite end zone of the same float (2), with the winch cable (10) passing through two pulleys (6c) fixed to the floating platform (1). In this third embodiment the pulleys (6c) are located in the same vertical where the ends of the winch cable (10) are fixed to the float (2).

With the synchronous guidance system of the movement of the floating platform (1) with respect to the float (2) or the floats (2), in the movement of ascent or descent of the floating platform (1) a parallel displacement of the corners of the floating platform (1), thus avoiding a possible rotation of the floating platform (1).

In an alternative embodiment of the invention, the guides (3) are telescopic elements whose length can be adjusted to adapt to different openings of different ports where the pontoon object of the invention will work.

The working procedure with the pontoon object of the invention is as follows:

- initially the floating platform (1) is emerged with the float (2) or the floats (2) located on the supports (4) fixed to the floating platform (1) so that the guides (3) pass through said supports ( 4); the execution of a concrete drawer begins,

- as the construction of the concrete box progresses, the floating platform (1) begins to sink, the supports (4) slide along the guides (3),

- when the concrete drawer is stable in terms of flotation, a final ballast of the horizontal platform (1) is produced by taking said horizontal platform (1) to the lower end of the guides (3) where it contacts the stop element (5 ), so that in this position the horizontal platform (1) is directed by the float (2) or the floats (2) from which it hangs through the guides (3) and the supports (4);

- the horizontal platform (1) is moved by means of the drag of the float (2) or the floats (2) for its extraction from under the concrete drawer and its subsequent location in a new location to begin the construction of a new concrete drawer ;

To place the horizontal platform (1) of the pontoon in a position to begin the construction of a new concrete drawer, it is necessary to perform a reflote of the horizontal platform (1) that is carried out by means of a shedding, so that the horizontal platform ( 1) Performs an ascending movement by sliding the supports (4) through the guides (3) until the horizontal platform (1) is stable by itself.

Additionally, the pontoon object of the invention comprises earth ties (not shown in the figures) which have the purpose of maintaining the position of the pontoon stable.

The invention should not be limited to the embodiments described herein. Experts in the field can develop other embodiments in view of the description made here. Accordingly, the scope of the invention is defined. by the following claims.

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Claims (15)

1. - Submersible pontoon comprising a floating platform (1) and a device for guiding a vertical movement of the floating platform (1), characterized in that the device for guiding the vertical movement of the floating platform (1) comprises: - at least one float (2), with at least two guides (3), - at least two supports (4) attached to the floating platform (1), where the guides (3) comprise a stop element (5) located at one end of the guide (3) and where the supports (4) rest on the guides (3) so that the guides (3) direct a vertical movement of the floating platform (1). 2. - Submersible pontoon according to claim 1, characterized in that the float (2) is U-shaped. 3. - Submersible pontoon according to claim 1, characterized in that the device for guiding a vertical movement of the floating platform (1) comprises two floats (2). 4. - Submersible pontoon according to claim 3, characterized in that each float (2) is located on an opposite side of the floating platform (1). 5. - Submersible pontoon, according to any of claims 3 or 4, characterized in that each float (2) comprises at least two guides (3). 6. - Submersible pontoon, according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a synchronous guidance system of the movement of the floating platform (1) with respect to the float (2) to direct the vertical movement of the floating platform (1). 7. - Submersible pontoon according to claim 6, characterized in that the synchronous guidance system of the movement of the floating platform (1) with respect to the at least one float (2) comprises: - two pairs of pulleys (6), each pair of pulleys (6) comprises a first pulley (6a) and a second pulley (6b), and each pair of pulleys (6) is fixed on opposite sides of the floating platform (1 ), Y - two cables (7), where each of the two cables (7) joins an upper end of a first guide (3) of and a lower end of a second guide (3) and, between the junction with the first guide (3) and the junction with the second guide (3), passes through a first pulley (6a) and a second pulley (6b) of different pairs of pulleys (6), the cables being tensioned. 8. - Submersible pontoon according to claim 7, characterized in that each pair of pulleys (6) is fixed on a support (4), the supports (4) being with a pair of pulleys (6) facing each other on opposite sides of the floating platform (1). 9. - Submersible pontoon according to claim 6, characterized in that the synchronous guidance system of the movement of the floating platform (1) with respect to the float (2) comprises at least one winch (9) in a float (2) with a winch cable (10) fixed at one end to the floating platform (1). 10. - Submersible pontoon according to claim 6, characterized in that the synchronous guidance system of the movement of the floating platform (1) with respect to the float (2) comprises at least one winch (9) in an end zone of a float ( 2) with a winch cable (10) fixed at a fixing point (11) in an extreme area of the float (2) opposite to that of the winch (9), with said winch cable (10) running along the floating platform (1) by passing through two pulleys (6c). 11. - Submersible pontoon, according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the guides (3) are an element to choose between straight linear elements, telescopic parts and combination of the foregoing. 12. - Submersible pontoon, according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the support (4) comprises a clamp through which a guide (3) runs. 13. - Submersible pontoon according to any of the preceding claims characterized in that the guides (3) are rigidly fixed and in the direction perpendicular to the float (2). 14. - Submersible pontoon according to any of the preceding claims characterized in that the supports (4) comprise at least one sliding support (8) that rests on the guide (3). 15. - Operating procedure of a submersible pontoon defined according to the preceding claims characterized in that it comprises the following steps: - placing an emerging floating platform (1) with at least one float (2) located on at least two supports (4) fixed to the floating platform (1), and with at least two guides (3) fixed to the float (2) crossing each support (4); - start a downward movement of the floating platform (1), sliding the supports (4) through the guides (3), moving the floating platform (1) perpendicular to the guides (3); - support the floating platform (1) on stop elements (5) located at the lower ends of the guides (3); - move the floating platform (1) by a movement of at least one float (2), - elevate the floating platform (1) until it emerges by means of a deflection of said floating platform (1).