The present invention relates to a gangway system () for an offshore service vessel (N), suitable for the transfer of personnel between said service vessel and an offshore structure(S), in wave motion conditions. The gangway system () comprises a telescopic corridor (), which has an upstream section () and a downstream section (), movable in translation relative to said upstream section (). The gangway system () further comprises means for maneuvering said gangway (), in particular yaw maneuvering means (), pitch maneuvering means () and translation maneuvering means (). The maneuvering means () cooperate with control means () so as to stabilize the downstream end () of the gangway () at, preferably resting on, said offshore structure(S).
Legal claims defining the scope of protection, as filed with the USPTO.
. Gangway system () for an offshore service vessel (N), suitable for the transfer of personnel between said service vessel (N) and an offshore structure(S), in wave motion conditions,
. Gangway system (), according to, characterized in that the maneuvering means () of said gangway () consist of electric maneuvering means ().
. Gangway system (), according to, characterized in that the maneuvering means () in pitch () comprise:
. Gangway system () according to, characterized in that said at least one electric winch () is carried by a gantry () extending above said waiting platform (),
. Gangway system (), according to, characterized in that the maneuvering means () in translation () comprise:
. Gangway system (), according to, characterized in that said at least one electric winch () is carried by said upstream section (), mounted below said upstream section (), and in that said at least one traction line () comprises a downstream end () which is secured to said downstream section (), at an attachment point () mounted below said downstream section (), preferably on the side of a downstream end () of said downstream section ().
. Gangway system (), according to, characterized in that said movement acquisition module () comprises a contact sensor () installed on said downstream end () of said downstream section (), which contact sensor () comprises:
. Gangway system (), according to, characterized in that the tower () incorporates a lift () for personnel, for transfer between the deck (P) of the offshore service vessel (N) and said gangway ().
. Gangway system (), according to, characterized in that said gangway system () comprises maneuvering means () of said carriage () which consist of electrical maneuvering means (), for example:
. Gangway system (), according to, characterized in that said waiting platform () is protected within a rotunda () which comprises retractable side walls (), following the yaw movements of said gangway (), for the protection of personnel, in particular against weather conditions.
. Gangway system () according to, characterized in that the retractable side walls () are opaque or perforated.
. Offshore service vessel (N) equipped with a gangway system () according to.
Complete technical specification and implementation details from the patent document.
The present invention relates to the technical field of gangway systems for offshore service vessels, suitable for the transfer of personnel between said service vessel and an offshore structure, in wave motion conditions.
Some offshore operations require the use of offshore service vessels.
Offshore service vessels are specifically designed to provide logistical support to offshore operations, including the transport of personnel to and from various offshore structures, such as offshore platforms or offshore wind turbines.
Gangway systems play a crucial role in ensuring the safe transfer of personnel between the service vessel and offshore structures, including in wave motion conditions.
These gangways play a crucial role in offshore industries, where harsh environmental conditions are common.
To enable this transfer, even in rough seas, the gangways are generally equipped with motion compensation by hydraulic maneuvering means.
However, in general, hydraulic actuators increase the mechanical complexity of the gangway system and require frequent maintenance operations.
There is therefore a need for technical solutions aimed at simplifying the active compensation of the gangway system, as well as its maintenance.
In order to overcome the aforementioned drawback of the state of the art, the present invention proposes a gangway system for an offshore service vessel, suitable for the transfer of personnel between said service vessel and an offshore structure, in wave motion conditions.
The gangway system includes:
According to a preferred embodiment, the maneuvering means of said gangway consist of electrical maneuvering means.
Other non-limiting and advantageous characteristics of this embodiment according to the invention, taken individually or in all technically possible combinations, are as follows:
Other non-limiting and advantageous characteristics in accordance with the invention, taken individually or in all technically possible combinations, are as follows:
The present invention also relates to an offshore service vessel equipped with a gangway system according to the invention.
Of course, the various features, variants and embodiments of the invention may be combined with each other in various combinations to the extent that they are not incompatible or mutually exclusive.
It should be noted that, in these figures, the structural and/or functional elements common to the different variants may have the same references.
The present invention thus relates to a gangway systemfor an offshore service vessel N, suitable for the transfer of personnel between this offshore service vessel N and an offshore structure S, in wave motion conditions ().
The invention also relates to the offshore service vessel N equipped with a gangway systemaccording to the invention.
By “offshore service vessel” we advantageously mean a vessel specially designed and equipped to carry out various logistics, supply, maintenance and personnel transfer missions to an offshore structure S.
The main functions of these vessels include the transport of personnel, the transfer of goods, refueling, as well as the provision of equipment and materials necessary for activities at sea.
This gangway systemis thus suitable for being installed on the offshore service vessel, for example a vessel for operation service (also called “Service Operation Vessel”).
By “ship” we mean in particular ships for wind farm operation service (also called “wind Farm Service Operation Vessel» or «wind farm SOV» in English).
The term “offshore structure S” includes in particular oil platforms, gas platforms or offshore wind turbines.
The offshore service vessel N, and possibly the offshore structure S, is subject to wave-induced movements, such as rolling, pitching and yaw, which can significantly influence the stability and safety of operations at sea.
Furthermore, in general, the gangway systemcomprises:
The gangway systemalso comprises maneuvering meansfor maneuvering the gangwaywhich are notably designed to stabilize, in wave motion conditions, the free end of this gangwayat the offshore structure S.
Gangwayextends from carriagewhich is movable along the height of tower.
According to a preferred embodiment, towerincorporates a personnel elevator, suitable for transfer between deck P of offshore service vessel N and gangway.
This elevatoris advantageously maneuvered over the height of the tower, preferably by means of electric maneuvering means(for example an electric winch located at the upper end of the tower).
Generally speaking, tower, for example, has a height ranging from 15 to 25 m.
According to a preferred embodiment, the gangway systemcomprises maneuvering meansfor maneuvering the carriage.
These maneuvering meansadvantageously consist of electrical maneuvering means.
For example, these maneuvering meansinclude:
In general, gangwayincludes:
The waiting platformis assembled with the carriageby means of first rotational assembly meansdefining the yaw rotation axis R.
In this case, the waiting platformis above the carriage.
The rotating assembly meansconsist, for example, of rolling means equipped with electric motor means (for example electric geared motors meshing on a crown), advantageously conventional in themselves.
The waiting platformis advantageously surmounted by a gantry.
This gantryadvantageously follows the rotational movements of the waiting platform, along the yaw rotation axis R.
To achieve this, this gantryis here secured to the waiting platform.
According to a preferred embodiment, the waiting platformis protected within a rotunda(rotonda) which comprises retractable side walls, following the yaw movements of the gangway.
This rotundais useful for the protection of personnel, particularly against weather conditions.
Preferably, the retractable side wallsare opaque or perforated. They consist, for example, of roller shutter aprons composed of a plurality of slats.
In practice, during a yaw movement of the waiting platform, the retractable side wallsretract, or deploy, so as to maintain communication between the towerand the corridor.
Corridor, telescopic, includes:
In other words, the downstream sectionis guided in translation along the length of the upstream section.
The upstream sectionand the downstream sectioncooperate by sliding means, for example rail/roller pairs.
The upstream sectionand the downstream sectioneach have two ends:
More specifically, corridorincludes:
The upstream endof the upstream sectioncooperates with the waiting platformby means of second rotation assembly meansdefining the pitch rotation axis R.
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October 9, 2025
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