Scaffolding device for work on inner wall face of tower vessel body, and method of work on inner wall face using the scaffolding device

Abstract

A scaffold apparatus for operations comprises either a single post or a plurality of posts ( 16 ) put up inside a tower structure ( 1 ), from a bottom section thereof toward a top section, and a height adjustable operations platform ( 8 ) that is attached in a manner that enables free up or down movement along the posts ( 16 ), and during operation, if the posts ( 16 ) are assembled inside the tower structure ( 1 ) and the height adjustable operations platform ( 8 ) is then attached to the posts, then subsequent adjustments of the operating height is performed easily and quickly by moving the height adjustable operations platform ( 8 ) up or down along the posts ( 16 ), and compared with a case in which, for example, a level adjustment operation such as adding to the scaffold framework is required inside the tower structure every time the operating height is altered, the operability of inner wall surface operations improves markedly, and because level adjustment operations need not be conducted at great heights, the safety of operations also improves, meaning both operating cost reductions and improved safety are achieved.

1 . (canceled)  
   
   
       2 . The scaffold apparatus for conducting operations on an inner wall surface of a tower structure according to  claim 7 , the tower structure further comprising a materials transport port, wherein said posts each comprise a plurality of stacked and connected post pieces, the post pieces being of dimensions that enable transport of the post pieces through the materials transport port provided in said tower structure, from the bottom section of said tower structure toward the top section.  
   
   
       3 . The scaffold apparatus for conducting operations on an inner wall surface of a tower structure according to  claim 7  or  claim 2 , further comprising a lower support base for being secured immediately above a bottommost portion of the tower bottom section and securing pieces for engaging a side wall of said tower structure immediately above said bottommost portion of the tower bottom section for said securing of the lower support base.  
   
   
       4 . The scaffold apparatus for conducting operations on an inner wall surface of a tower structure according to  claim 7 , the tower structure further comprising a materials transport port, wherein said height adjustable operations platform is a knockdown structure that is capable of being transported through the materials transport port provided in said tower structure.  
   
   
       5 . (canceled)  
   
   
       6 . (canceled)  
   
   
       7 . A scaffold apparatus for conducting operations on an inner wall surface of a tower structure having top and bottom sections, comprising: 
 one or two posts for being erected inside the tower structure from the bottom section thereof toward the top section thereof;    a height adjustable operations platform attached in a manner that enables free up or down movement along said posts,    a predetermined number of a guide units for maintaining stable up and down movement of said height adjustable operations platform, the guide units being equipped on an external periphery of said height adjustable operations platform, and    each of the guide units having a wheel, the wheel being capable of being displaced freely toward and away from the inner wall surface of said tower structure and of being held in continuous contact with said inner wall surface by a predetermined pressure.    
   
   
       8 . A method for conducting operations on an inner wall surface of a tower structure having top and bottom sections, using a scaffold apparatus having one or two posts erected inside the tower structure from the bottom section thereof toward the top section thereof, a height adjustable operations platform attached in a manner that enables free up or down movement along said posts, a predetermined number of a guide units for maintaining stable up and down movement of said height adjustable operations platform, the guide units being equipped on an external periphery of said height adjustable operations platform, each of the guide units having a wheel capable of being displaced freely toward and away from the inner wall surface of said tower structure and being held in continuous contact with said inner wall surface by a predetermined pressure, the method comprising the steps of: loading a person and/or an operating material onto the height adjustable operations platform and adjusting an operating height by moving said platform up and down along said posts, while performing required operations on the inner wall surface of said-tower structure.  
   
   
       9 . The scaffold apparatus for conducting operations on the inner wall surface of a tower structure according to  claim 7 , wherein the four guide wheel units are located at intervals of 90° on the external periphery of said height adjustable operations platform.  
   
   
       10 . The scaffold apparatus for conducting operations on an inner wall surface of a tower structure according to  claim 7 , wherein said tower structure comprises a circular cross-section and inside diameter of the tower structure gradually reduces from the bottom section to the top section thereof.  
   
   
       11 . The method according to  claim 8 , wherein said tower structure comprises a circular cross-section and inside diameter of the tower structure gradually reduces from the bottom section to the top section thereof.