Offshore load handling system

Abstract

A load handling system for offshore load transfer operations, using a floater equipped with a supporting structure for transfer of heavy construction elements between the floater and a transfer site. The supporting structure includes an elongated transfer beam incorporating an arm structure projecting from the floater or a structure attached thereto, and a load carrying point, carried by the arm structure. The load carrying point is displaceable in the longitudinal direction of the arm structure. The arm structure is rotatably supported relative to the floater or a structure attached thereto, in a manner allowing it to be swung in a substantially horizontal plane about a substantially vertical shaft. The arm structure is supported in a manner permitting tilting movements about substantially horizontal axes.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A load handling system for offshore load transfer operations, comprising: 
 a floater equipped with a supporting structure for transfer of heavy construction elements between the floater and a transfer site, the supporting structure including an elongated transfer beam projecting from the floater;    a load carrying point connected to the elongated transfer beam, the elongated transfer beam comprising an arm structure, the arm structure at one of its end being rotatably supported relative to the floater or a structure attached to the floater in a manner allowing the arm to be swung in a substantially horizontal plane about a substantially vertical axis; and    the arm structure supporting a trolley, the trolley being displaceable in a longitudinal direction of the arm structure and carrying the load carrying point.    
     
     
         2 . The load handling system as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the arm structure is arranged about a substantially vertical shaft rotatably supported to an outer end portion of the floater or a structure attached to the floater.  
     
     
         3 . The load handling system as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein the shaft is supported in at least two bearings accommodating radial loads, and at least one bearing accommodating axial loads.  
     
     
         4 . The load handling system as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein the bearings accommodating radial loads are spherical roller bearings, and the bearing accommodating axial loads is a spherical roller thrust bearing, both types of bearings permitting angular misalignment.  
     
     
         5 . The load handling system as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the trolley is supported in linear bearings provided between the trolley and sidewalls of the arm structure.  
     
     
         6 . The load handling system as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the load supporting point supported by the trolley is rotatably supported in a bearing accommodating both axial and radial loads.  
     
     
         7 . The load handling system as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the load supporting point is supported on a hydraulic jacket allowing vertical adjustment of the load supporting point.  
     
     
         8 . The load handling system as claimed in  claim 1 , including means positioned under the load supporting point for allowing tilting movements about substantially horizontal axes.  
     
     
         9 . The load handling system as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the arm structure is a girder box having means for guiding the trolley.  
     
     
         10 . A load handling system for offshore load transfer operations, comprising: 
 a floater;    connecting structure extending from the floater;    an elongated transfer beam supported on the connecting structure and including an arm, the arm being rotatably supported to the connecting structure at an end of the arm so that the arm is rotatable in a substantially horizontal plane; and    a trolley supported on the arm, the trolley being displaceable in a longitudinal direction of the arm and carrying a load carrying point.    
     
     
         11 . The load handling system as claimed in  claim 10 , wherein the arm is arranged about a substantially vertical shaft rotatably supported to the connecting structure.  
     
     
         12 . The load handling system as claimed in  claim 11 , wherein the shaft is supported in at least two bearings accommodating radial loads, and at least one bearing accommodating axial loads.  
     
     
         13 . The load handling system as claimed in  claim 12 , wherein the bearings accommodating radial loads are spherical roller bearings, and the bearing accommodating axial loads is a spherical roller thrust bearing, both types of bearings permitting certain angular misalignment.  
     
     
         14 . The load handling system as claimed in  claim 10 , wherein the trolley is supported in linear bearings provided between the trolley and sidewalls of the arm.  
     
     
         15 . The load handling system as claimed in  claim 10 , wherein the load supporting point supported by the trolley is rotatably supported in a bearing accommodating both axial and radial loads.  
     
     
         16 . The load handling system as claimed in  claim 10 , wherein the load supporting point is supported on a hydraulic jacket allowing vertical adjustment of the load supporting point.  
     
     
         17 . The load handling system as claimed in  claim 10 , including means positioned under the load supporting point for allowing tilting movements about substantially horizontal axes.  
     
     
         18 . The load handling system as claimed in  claim 10 , wherein the arm is a girder box having means for guiding the trolley.  
     
     
         19 . The load handling system of  claim 10 , wherein the load carrying point is a steel plate.  
     
     
         20 . A load handling system for offshore load transfer operations, comprising: 
 a floater;    at least one elongated transfer beam supported on the floater;    an arm rotatably supported on the at least one elongated transfer beam so that the arm is rotatable in a substantially horizontal plane; and    a trolley supported on the arm, the trolley being displaceable in a longitudinal direction of the arm and carrying a load carrying point.