Hold crane as well as pipefeeder vessel with such hold crane

{
  "publication_number": "US9315244B2",
  "country": "US",
  "kind": "B2",
  "title": "Hold crane as well as pipefeeder vessel with such hold crane",
  "abstract": "A hold crane (6) for elongate elements (4), such as a pipe hold crane for a pipefeeder vessel (1), includes a main frame (7) and support elements (9 - 12) supporting the main frame above a hold which is carried out for containing the elongate elements. The support elements allow displacement of the main frame in a longitudinal direction of the hold. Hoisting members are provided which are carried by the main frame for lifting an elongate element from the hold vice versa, the hoisting members including at least two hoisting elements spaced apart in the longitudinal direction of the hold. The hoisting elements are suspended from the main frame and are provided coupling elements for coupling onto an elongate element. Stabilizing elements, which cooperate with the hoisting elements, prevent movement of the coupling elements in transverse direction with respect to the main frame while allowing vertical movement of the coupling elements.",
  "claims": [
    "1. A pipefeeder vessel (1), comprising a hold (3) for containing pipes (4), said hold having opposite vertically oriented side walls (2), as well as a hold crane (6) comprising a main frame (7), displacement means (9 - 12) supporting the main frame above the hold (3) which is carried out for containing the elongate elements, said displacement means (9 - 12) allowing displacement of the main frame (7) in a longitudinal direction of the hold (3), and hoisting means (13, 14) carried by the main frame (7) for lifting an elongate element (4) from the hold (3) and vice versa, said hoisting means comprising at least two hoisting elements which are spaced apart in the longitudinal direction of the hold (3), said hoisting elements each being suspended from the main frame (7) and being provided coupling means for coupling onto an elongate element (4), and stabilizing means (8, 15) which cooperate with the hoisting elements and which allow vertical movement of said coupling means (20), wherein the hoisting elements comprise two pairs of hoisting cables (13), said two pairs of hoisting cables (13) being spaced in a transverse direction of the hold (3), the stabilizing means comprising an auxiliary frame (8) which is suspended below the main frame (7) by said two pairs of hoisting cables (13) and which is equipped with rollers (15) for guiding the auxiliary frame (8) in height direction, said rollers (15) being held against the vertically oriented side walls (2) of the hold (3) said auxiliary frame supporting the coupling means (20), wherein the coupling means (20) are located at opposite ends of at least one transversely displaceable spreader beam (16, 16 ′), said coupling means (20) being spaced apart in the longitudinal direction of the hold (3), said spreader beam being displaceably supported in the transverse direction of said hold (3) with respect to the auxiliary frame (8).",
    "2. The pipefeeder vessel (1), according to claim 1, wherein the auxiliary frame (8) carries at least two of said spreader beam (16, 16 ′) extending in the longitudinal direction of the hold (3), said spreader beam (16, 16 ′) carrying the coupling means (20) which are located at the opposite ends of the spreader beam (16, 16 ′).",
    "3. The pipefeeder vessel (1), according to claim 2, wherein the auxiliary frame (8) carries transversely oriented support tracks (18) and the spreader beam (16, 16 ′) has carriages (17) which are supported by said support tracks (18).",
    "4. The pipefeeder vessel (1), according to claim 3, wherein the rollers (15) are arranged at opposite longitudinal sides of the auxiliary frame (8) for guiding said auxiliary frame in vertical direction with respect to both longitudinally extending side walls (2) of the hold (3).",
    "5. The pipefeeder vessel (1), according to claim 4, wherein actuating means (22) are provided for displacing rollers (15) transversely with respect to the direction of displacement of the main frame (7) as allowed by the displacement means (9 - 12).",
    "6. The pipefeeder vessel (1), according to claim 1, wherein the displacement means (9 - 12) provide for a height adjustment of the main frame (7).",
    "7. The pipefeeder vessel (1), according to claim 1, wherein support tracks (5) are oriented according to the longitudinal direction of a pair of opposite side walls (2) of the pipe hold (3), the displacement means (9 - 12) of the hold crane (6) being displaceable along said support tracks (5).",
    "8. The pipefeeder vessel (1) according to claim 7, wherein the support tracks (5) border the top of the side walls (2) of the hold (3), and the main frame (7) comprises rollers (9) which are displaceably supported with respect to the support tracks (5).",
    "9. The pipefeeder vessel (1), according to claim 1, wherein, the coupling means comprises a hook (20), and the transversely oriented support tracks (18) comprise I-beams."
  ],
  "description_excerpt": "The invention is related to a hold crane for elongate elements, such as a pipe hold crane for a pipefeeder vessel, comprising a main frame, support means supporting the main frame above a hold which is carried out for containing the elongate elements, said support means allowing displacement of the main frame in longitudinal direction of the hold, and hoisting means carried by the frame for lifting an elongate element from the hold, said hoisting means comprising at least two hoisting elements, such as cables, which are spaced apart in the longitudinal direction of the hold, said hoisting elements, such as cables, each being suspended from the main frame and being provided coupling means, such as a hook, for coupling onto an elongate element.\n\nA hold crane of this type is usually present in pipe feed vessels which are employed for the transport of pipes to a pipe laying vessel. Onboard the pipe laying vessel, the pipes are welded together and laid on the sea bottom from the pipe laying vessel. Specifically, the construction of pipelines for hydrocarbons such as natural gas or oil is carried out in this way. Having regard to the fact that the pipeline is laid on the sea bottom, the pipes are coated with a protective layer in the form of a concrete coating. This coating provides a protection against corrosion, and furthermore serves the purpose of adding mass to the pipeline for preventing the effect of floating up in the sea water. At regular intervals, the stock of pipes which is present in the pipe laying vessel must be replenished so as to ensure an efficient pipe laying process.",
  "cpc": [
    "B63B 27/12",
    "B63B 35/03",
    "B66C 13/06",
    "B66C 13/12"
  ],
  "ipc": [
    "B63B 27/12",
    "B63B 35/03",
    "B66C 13/06"
  ],
  "assignees": [
    "KALKMAN PIETER",
    "VALK HANS WOUTER",
    "ALBLAS HENDRIK",
    "KALKMAN WADDINXVEEN BEHEER B V P",
    "SPLIETHOFF S BEVRACHTINGSKANTOOR B V"
  ],
  "inventors": [
    "KALKMAN PIETER",
    "VALK HANS WOUTER",
    "ALBLAS HENDRIK"
  ],
  "filing_date": "2012-07-24",
  "publication_date": "2016-04-19",
  "grant_date": "2016-04-19",
  "priority_date": "2011-07-26",
  "application_number": "US-201213556691-A",
  "family_id": "44512681",
  "citations": [
    "FR2430387A1",
    "GB1208857A",
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  ]
}