Apparatus for facilitating new construction and the internal inspection and repair of large vessels, such as recovery boilers and tanks

Abstract

An apparatus for new construction as well as internal inspection and repair of large vessels ( 1 ), such as recovery boilers and tanks, comprises a platform ( 10 ) which is vertically adjustably suspended by means of suspension cords ( 13 ) hanging down from a roof ( 6 ) of the vessel ( 1 ). The platform ( 10 ) is built from at least two parallel spaced-apart girders ( 11 ), to which the suspension cords ( 13 ) are attached, and at least one plank ( 12 ) is arranged perpendicular to the girders ( 11 ) and interconnecting the same, the plank resting on the girders ( 11 ) and at least partly covering the same. The girders ( 11 ) are individually vertically adjustable first lattice girders, which have flat upper sides forming a footboard, on which it is possible to walk and operate safely. The plank ( 12 ), on which it is also possible both to walk and work, has a certain overlength, which allows the girders ( 11 ) to be individually movable in the vertical direction and sideways within certain limits, thereby significantly increasing the applicability of the platform ( 10 ).

1 . An apparatus for facilitating new construction as well as internal inspection and repair of large vessels, said apparatus comprising. 
 a platform, vertically adjustably suspended via suspension cords hanging down from a roof of the vessel, the platform being built from at least two parallel spaced-apart girders, to which the suspension cords are attached, and at least one plank being arranged perpendicular to the girders and interconnecting the girders, the plank resting on the girders and at least partly covering the girders, the girders being individually vertically adjustable first lattice girders, to which the suspension cords are attached and which have flat upper sides forming a footboard.    
   
   
       2 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the girders are rectangular in cross-section, and wherein the suspension cords are attached thereto by enclosing holders which enclose the respective girders and have an upper side which has a centrally arranged fastening device for each suspension cord.  
   
   
       3 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein the enclosing holders each include two essentially C-shaped halves, with the C openings facing one other, said halves having at their upper and lower ends lugs, through which locking cotter pins are movable for locking said halves together.  
   
   
       4 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein the lugs at the upper ends form said fastening device.  
   
   
       5 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein said halves are made of a band material of steel bent to the cross-sectional contour of the girders.  
   
   
       6 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein at least one additional girder, which is of the same type as said first lattice girders, is suspended under at least one of those at a fixed distance.  
   
   
       7 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 6 , wherein the additional girder is rectangular in cross-section, and wherein the additional girder is suspended by enclosing holders which enclose the girder and which are suspended from the superposed girder by way of suspension bands arranged on both sides of the girder.  
   
   
       8 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein the enclosing holders each include two essentially C-shaped halves, with the openings facing one another, said halves having at their upper and lower ends lugs, which locking cotter pins are movable for locking said halves together.  
   
   
       9 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein said halves are made of a band material of steel bent to the cross-sectional contour of the additional girder.  
   
   
       10 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 6 , wherein the suspension bands are steel bands, which at their ends have holes, through which locking cotter pins are movable for locking engagement in corresponding holes in the sides of the enclosing holders of the associated girders.  
   
   
       11 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 6 , wherein at least one additional girder is suspended under two spaced-apart girders at a fixed distance, and that at least one plank is arranged perpendicular to the girders and interconnecting the girders, said plank resting on the additional girders and at least partly covering the same.  
   
   
       12 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said at least one plank is telescopic.  
   
   
       13 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 12 , wherein the telescopic plank includes an outer and an inner mutually telescoping U section, which have downwardly directed U openings with ends curved inwards and the projection of which is limited by a pullout-limiting device.  
   
   
       14 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 13 , wherein the pullout-limiting means comprises at least one spring-biased pin, which for locking is arranged to be automatically moved from the inner U section through lock openings in the legs of the U-shaped sections.  
   
   
       15 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 13 , wherein the outer U section at an end which is adapted to rest on a girder has at least one vertical hole for insertion of a locking cotter pin, which is arranged to engage in a corresponding hole in the upper side of the girder.  
   
   
       16 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the suspension cords are chains hanging down from electrically operated telphers which are arranged on the roof of the vessel.  
   
   
       17 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 16 , wherein the telphers are individually remote controlled from the interior of the vessel.  
   
   
       18 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 4 , wherein said halves are made of a band material of steel bent to the cross-sectional contour of the girders.  
   
   
       19 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 8 , wherein said halves are made of a band material of steel bent to the cross-sectional contour of the additional girder.  
   
   
       20 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 14 , wherein the outer U section at an end which is adapted to rest on a girder has at least one vertical hole for insertion of a locking cotter pin, which is arranged to engage in a corresponding hole in the upper side of the girder.