Key information

Title
A gangway assembly
Application number
20220094
Case type
National
Status
10.03.2025 Patent meddelt (B1)
Filed
24.01.2022
Effective date
24.01.2022
Publicly available
25.07.2023
Next annual fee due
31.01.2027
Applicant
SEAONICS AS (NO)
Owner
SEAONICS AS (NO)
Inventor
Tom Jørann Giske (NO) et al.
Agent
ZACCO NORWAY AS (NO)
Granted
10.03.2025
Patent number
348561
Expiry date
24.01.2042

Abstract and drawing

Disclaimer: This text has been machine-scanned and may contain errors – please refer to "Publications" for legally binding content.
A gangway assembly (1) comprises a boom (2) supporting at least one gangway (10) which is pivotally connected to a first support (4) at a fulcrum (23). A pivoting assembly (25) is arranged below the gangway and comprises an electric motor and winch assembly (14), a sheave assembly (16), and one or more wires (15) extending between the winch and the sheave. An elevator assembly (24) comprises a rail assembly (21) on the column (6), and a plurality of wheels (20) and an electric motor and winch assembly (17) arranged on the second support (5) below the gangway (10), and wires (18) connected to respective fixtures (19) at an upper end of the column (6).

Publications

B1A1
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Documents

 Expand Download files (28)
Date
 Date Doc. No. Process Case number In/Out Journal description To/from
 14.03.2025 14-01 Saksbehandling 20220094(348561) UT PT Registreringsbrev nasjonal patent (15) (PT20220094)
03.01.2025 13-01 Saksbehandling 20220094 UT PT Meddelelse om patent ZACCO NORWAY AS
 05.12.2023 12-01 Saksbehandling 20220094 UT PT Varsel om betaling av første årsavgift (3317) (PT20220094) ZACCO NORWAY AS
 20.11.2023 11-03 Saksbehandling 20220094 INN Response to 3rd OA ZACCO NORWAY AS
 20.11.2023 11-02 Saksbehandling 20220094 INN Claims - Norwegian translation ZACCO NORWAY AS
 20.11.2023 11-01 Saksbehandling 20220094 INN Korrespondanse (Hovedbrev inn) ZACCO NORWAY AS
 04.11.2023 10-01 Saksbehandling 20220094 UT Realitet patent ZACCO NORWAY AS
 03.04.2023 09-04 Saksbehandling 20220094 INN Reply to 2nd OA ZACCO NORWAY AS
 03.04.2023 09-03 Saksbehandling 20220094 INN Amended specification and claims - m-u 483638 ZACCO NORWAY AS
 03.04.2023 09-02 Saksbehandling 20220094 INN Amended specification and claims - clean 483637 ZACCO NORWAY AS
 03.04.2023 09-01 Saksbehandling 20220094 INN Korrespondanse (Hovedbrev inn) ZACCO NORWAY AS
 28.03.2023 08-01 Saksbehandling 20220094 UT Realitet patent ZACCO NORWAY AS
 21.12.2022 07-04 Saksbehandling 20220094 INN Reply to 1st OA ZACCO NORWAY AS
 21.12.2022 07-03 Saksbehandling 20220094 INN Amended specification and claims - clean ZACCO NORWAY AS
 21.12.2022 07-02 Saksbehandling 20220094 INN Amended specification and claims - annotated ZACCO NORWAY AS
 21.12.2022 07-01 Saksbehandling 20220094 INN Korrespondanse (Hovedbrev inn) ZACCO NORWAY AS
 22.06.2022 06-02 Saksbehandling 20220094 UT PT report 10:44:22
22.06.2022 06-01 Saksbehandling 20220094 UT Realitet patent ZACCO NORWAY AS
 21.04.2022 05-01 Saksbehandling 20220094 UT Informasjon til oppfinner Jarle Sigurd Ødegård
 20.04.2022 04-02 Saksbehandling 20220094 INN Erklaering_rett_oppfinnelsen - Seaonics AS, signert ZACCO NORWAY AS
 20.04.2022 04-01 Saksbehandling 20220094 INN Korrespondanse (Hovedbrev inn) ZACCO NORWAY AS
 01.03.2022 03-02 Saksbehandling 20220094 INN General letter to Patentstyret ZACCO NORWAY AS
 01.03.2022 03-01 Saksbehandling 20220094 INN Korrespondanse (Hovedbrev inn) ZACCO NORWAY AS
 25.01.2022 02-01 Saksbehandling 20220094 UT Formalia 1 ZACCO NORWAY AS
 24.01.2022 01-04 Saksbehandling 20220094 INN Specification and claims ZACCO NORWAY AS
 24.01.2022 01-03 Saksbehandling 20220094 INN POA ZACCO NORWAY AS
 24.01.2022 01-02 Saksbehandling 20220094 INN Figures ZACCO NORWAY AS
 24.01.2022 01-01 Saksbehandling 20220094 INN Søknadsskjema Patent ZACCO NORWAY AS

Description, claims and drawings

Disclaimer: This text has been machine-scanned and may contain errors – please refer to "Publications" for legally binding content. Description
Technical field of the inventionThe invention concerns movable gangways and access bridges. More specifically, the invention concerns a gangway assembly as defined by the preamble of claim 1.Background of the inventionA gangway, sometimes also referred to as an access bridge, is used for providing a bridge between two objects, and is particularly useful when one object is moving with respect to a fixed object or when two objects are moving independently of one another. Gangways are used for establishing a bridge between for example two floating objects (e.g. vessels, platforms) at sea, and between a vessel or platform and a fixed object (such as a quay or other foundation).Different gangway designs exist, where the gangway length, number of elements and joints, etc. are adapted by designers and suppliers to accommodate customer inputs and requests. State-of-the-art gangways are moveable in several degrees of freedom, may be controlled manually or may comprise active motion compensation systems. The prior at comprises CN 110239672 A, which describes a gangway having a first gangway part rotatably connected to a slewing base, and a second gangway part telescopically connected to the first gangway part. The prior art also comprises WO 2015/009163 A1, which describes a gangway and an associated active motion compensation system. The prior art also comprises CN 212243715 U, which describes a marine accommodation ladder device which comprises an accommodation ladder, a vertical accommodation ladder guide rail and an adjusting assembly. The adjusting assembly comprises a lifting unit and an adjusting unit, the adjusting unit comprises a swing mechanism and a pitching mechanism, the accommodation ladder is arranged on the accommodation ladder rail in a lifting manner, and the pitching mechanism is arranged on the upper end part of the accommodation ladder rail. The accommodation ladder is rotatably arranged on the rotation mechanismin the horizontal direction, and the accommodation ladder is rotatably arranged on the rotation mechanism in the vertical direction. The prior art also comprises WO 2012/069825 A1, which describes a bridge apparatus to transfer persons between a moving structure such as a vessel and a second structure such as an offshore installation, for example, to span gaps between work boats and fixed offshore installations such as wind turbines. The bridge comprises a platform supported by a line, the platform being moveable in a vertical direction by movement, of the line, wherein the line extends in a vertical direction from the platform to a capstan, and from the capstan to a counterweight.The prior art also comprises WO 00/15489 A1, which describes a mooring arrangement, for mooring, primarily of smaller vessels to ground-anchored or floating structures at sea, such as sea based wind-power stations, lighthouses and constructions for extracting and loading oil. The mooring arrangement comprises a connecting means, a manoeuvring member arranged at one end of the connecting means, a locking device arranged at the other end of the connecting means and a control means.Summary of the inventionThe invention is set forth and characterized in the main claim, while the dependent claims describe other characteristics of the invention.It is thus provided a gangway assembly, comprising a boom supporting at least one gangway and being pivotally connected to a first support at a fulcrum, and wherein an end portion of the boom extends beyond the fulcrum; characterized by a pivoting assembly arranged below the gangway and comprising a first electric motor and winch assembly, a sheave assembly, and one or more first wires extending between the first electric motor and winch assembly and the sheave assembly, and wherein the first electric motor and winch assembly is arranged on said end portion of the boom, and the sheave assembly is arranged on the first support, or vice versa.The gangway assembly further comprises a second support, and the first support is a slewing base which is connected to the second support via a slewing mechanism.In one embodiment, the gangway assembly further comprises an erect column, and the second support is slidably connected to the column via a rail and roller assembly whereby a the first support may be moved up and down on at least a portion of the column.In one embodiment, the gangway assembly further comprises a second electric motor and winch assembly arranged on the second support below the gangway, and second wires connected to respective fixtures at an upper end of the column.Brief description of the drawingsThese and other characteristics of the invention will become clear from the following description of an embodiment of the invention, given as a non-restrictive example, with reference to the attached schematic drawings, wherein:Figure 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the gangway assembly according to the invention;Figure 2 is a side view of the gangway assembly illustrated in figure 1, where a gangway element has been partly extended;Figure 3 is an enlarged drawing of the area “A” in figure 2;Figure 4 is a side view of the gangway assembly illustrated in figures 1 and 2, in an elevated position on a foundation column;Figure 5 is another side view of the gangway assembly illustrated in figures 1 and 2, illustrating the gangway in three different positions in a vertical plane;Figure 6 is a top view of the gangway assembly illustrated in figures 1 and 2, illustrating the gangway in three different positions in a horizontal plane; and Figure 7 is a side view of the gangway assembly illustrated in figures 1 and 2, in a parked, inactive, position.Detailed description of embodiments of the inventionThe following description may use terms such as “horizontal”, “vertical”, “lateral”, “back and forth”, “up and down”, ”upper”, “lower”, “inner”, “outer”, “forward”, “rear”, etc. These terms generally refer to the views and orientations as shown in the drawings and that are associated with a normal use of the invention. The terms are used for the reader’s convenience only and shall not be limiting.Referring initially to figure 1 and figure 2, the gangway assembly 1 comprises in the illustrated embodiment a boom 2 which is pivotally connected to a first support, here in the form of a slewing base, 4; the slewing base 4 in turn being connected to a second support, here in the form of a foundation, 5 which is slidably connected to and supported by an erect column 6. Except where specifically mentioned below; sensors, feedback systems, control units, power equipment, etc., required to operate the gangway assembly are not described in detail, as these are well known in the art.The column 6, which may be firmly connected to a supporting structure (not shown) such as a ship or other ocean-going vessel, comprises an opening 8 that provides access to a personnel elevator or stairway (not shown) inside the column. The personnel elevator or stairway may extend down to multiple decks on a ship or other vessel. An access platform 9, which is fixed to (and on top of) the slewing base 4, provides access between the opening 8 and a gangway 10 which is connected to the boom 2. An extendable gangway 3 is connected to the boom 2 and gangway 10, and may be extended and retracted telescopically from the boom first end 12 as indicated by the double arrow T. The extension and retraction of the extendable gangway 3 is powered and controlled by electric motors (not shown). A wire and hook assembly 22 is supported by the free end of the extendable gangway, operated by an electric motor and winch (not shown). An assembly of ladders and platforms 7, arranged on the outside of the column 6, provides access to the top of the column and to the access platform. Referring additionally to figure 3, the gangway assembly 1 comprises an elevator assembly 24, whereby the foundation 5 (which carries the slewing base 4 and boom 2) may be moved up and down the column 6, as indicated by the double arrow V in figure 1. In the illustrated embodiment, the elevator assembly 24 comprises a rail assembly 21 on the column 6 and a plurality of wheels 20 on the foundation 5, an electric motor and winch assembly 17, and wires 18 connected to respective fixtures 19 at an upper end of the column. The slewing base 4 is rotatably connected to the foundation 5 via slewing mechanism 11 and is powered and controlled by an electric motor (not shown). The slewing base, boom and gangways may thus be rotated in the xz plane, as indicated by the arrows S in figure 1 and figure 6.The boom 2 is rotatably supported by the slewing base 4 at a fulcrum, schematically indicated by reference number 23, and a portion (i.e. a second boom end) 13 of the boom 2 extends a distance beyond the fulcrum, towards the column 6. The gangway assembly comprises a pivoting assembly 25, whereby the boom 2 and gangways may be rotated (pivoted) about the fulcrum 23, in the xy plane, as indicated by the double arrow P in figure 2 and figure 5. In the illustrated embodiment, the pivoting assembly 25 comprises a motor and winch assembly 14 on the boom portion 13, a sheave assembly 16 on the slewing base 4, and one or more wires 15 extending between the winch and the sheave. The motor is an electric motor. A reversed arrangement is conceivable, i.e. where the motor and winch assembly 14 is arranged on the slewing base 4 and the sheave is arranged on the boom portion 13.One significant aspect of the gangway assembly is that the winch and electric motor 17 in the elevator assembly 24 is arranged below the boom 2 and gangways 3, 10. This feature allows the gangways (and access platform 9) to be elevated above the column 6, as illustrated in figure 4, such that there are no tower or other element extending above the gangways. This is particularly advantageous when operating underneath structures, for example when providing access between a ship and an offshore wind power plant. The elevator assembly 24 also provides for a stepless translation along the column, and the electric motor provides for rapid response and precise control.Another significant aspect of the gangway assembly is that pivoting assembly 25 is arranged below the access platform and gangways, whereby personnel are not exposed to moving parts. The electric motor 14 also provides for instantaneous and stepless response when it is necessary to compensate for boom movements. In a dynamic situation, for example when the gangway assembly is arranged on a ship and is in operation to interconnect the ship with a stationary or moving structure, the boom is moving in the xy plane due to relative movements between the ship and the structure. These movements may cause alternating tension and relaxation in the pivoting wires 15. The electric motor 14 will be able to react instantaneously in order to compensate for the boom movements and maintain appropriate tension in the wires 15 at all times, and thus preventing slack in the wires.As all actuators in the gangway assembly are electric motors, stepless motion compensation in all dimensions is accomplished rapidly. The electric motors therefore offer a significant improvement over prior art, hydraulic, actuators. The gangway assembly is all electrically powered, with no need for hydraulic actuators and associated equipment. The electric motors and associated control systems allow for an improved three-dimensional control of the gangway assembly, with more accurate response times than traditional hydraulic actuators. As such, the use of electric motors facilitates the use of wires and winches to control the boom movement, without compromising on performance or reliability.
Claims
Claims1. A gangway assembly (1), comprising a boom (2) supporting at least one gangway (10) and being pivotally connected to a first support (4) at a fulcrum (23), and wherein an end portion (13) of the boom (2) extends beyond the fulcrum (23);characterized by- a pivoting assembly (25) arranged below the gangway (10) and comprising a first electric motor and winch assembly (14), a sheave assembly (16), and one or more first wires (15) extending between the first electric motor and winch assembly (14) and the sheave assembly (16), and- wherein the first electric motor and winch assembly (14) is arranged on said end portion (13) of the boom (2), and the sheave assembly (16) is arranged on the first support (4), or vice versa.2. The gangway assembly of claim 1, further comprising a second support (5), and wherein the first support (4) is a slewing base which is connected to the second support (5) via a slewing mechanism (11).3. The gangway assembly of claim 2, further comprising an erect column (6), and wherein the second support (5) is slidably connected to the column (6) via a rail and roller assembly (20, 21) whereby the first support (4) may be moved up and down on at least a portion of the column (6).4. The gangway assembly of claim 3, further comprising a second electric motor and winch assembly (17) arranged on the second support (5) below the gangway (10), and second wires (18) connected to respective fixtures (19) at an upper end of the column (6).Patentkrav1. En gangbro-sammenstilling (1), omfattende en bom (2) som bærer i det minste én gangbro (10) og er dreibart koplet til en første bærer (4) vet et svingpunkt (23), og der et endeparti (13) av bommen (2) strekker seg forbi svingpunktet (23);karakterisert ved- en dreiesammenstilling (25) arrangert under gangbroen (10) og omfattende en første elektromotor-og-vinsjsammenstilling (14), en skivesammenstilling (16), og én eller flere første vaiere (15) som strekker seg mellom den første elektromotor-ogvinsjsammenstillingen (14) og skivesammenstillingen (16), og- der den første elektromotor-og-vinsjsammenstillingen (14) er arrangert på nevnte endeparti (13) av bommen (2), og skivesammenstillingen (16) er arrangert på den første bæreren (4), eller vice versa.2. Gangbro-sammenstillingen som angitt i krav 1, videre omfattende en andre bærer (5), og der den første bæreren (4) er en svingbase som er koplet til den andre bæreren (5) via en svingmekanisme (11).3. Gangbro-sammenstillingen som angitt i krav 2, videre omfattende en oppreist søyle (6), og der den andre bæreren (5) er glidbart koplet til søylen (6) via en skinne-ogrullesammenstilling (20, 21) hvorved den første bæreren (4) kan beveges opp og ned på i det minste et parti av søylen (6).4. Gangbro-sammenstillingen som angitt i krav, videre omfattende en andre elektromotor-og-vinsjsammenstilling (17) arrangert på den andre bæreren (5) under gangbroen (10), og andre vaiere (18) koplet til respektive innfestinger (19) ved en øvre ende av søylen (6).
Drawings

Priority

No priority

Patent classes

IPC classesB63B 27/14B63B 27/30E01D 15/24CPC classesB63B 27/14B63B 27/30E01D 15/24

Citations

CN 212243715 U (U)WO 2012/069825 A1 (A1)WO 2015/009163 A1 (A1)WO 00/15489 A1 (A1)

Applicants, owners and inventors

Owners
SEAONICS AS
Postboks 144 6001 ÅLESUND NO (ÅLESUND Municipality, Møre og Romsdal county)Org. number: 997012461Inventors
Tom Jørann Giske
Kvalsteinvegen 44 6057 ELLINGSØY NO (ÅLESUND Municipality, Møre og Romsdal county)
Jarle Sigurd Ødegård
Solstrandvegen 119 6264 TENNFJORD NO (HARAM Municipality, Møre og Romsdal county)

Agent

ZACCO NORWAY AS
ZACCO NORWAY AS

Org. number: 982702887

Name and address are automatically synchronized with the Brønnøysund Register Centre.

Open in The Brønnøysund Register Centre
Postboks 488 0213 OSLO NO (OSLO Municipality, Oslo county)
Org. number: 982702887
Reference: P437324NO00

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