Key information

Title: HOLDING DEVICE FOR PIPES STORED ON VESSELS
Application number: 20250180
Case type: National
Status: 17.02.2025 Andre og senere realitetsskriv foreligger
Filed: 17.02.2025
Effective date: 17.02.2025
Publicly available: 18.08.2026
Next annual fee due: 28.02.2027
Applicant: Mutech AS (NO)
Inventor: Thomas Lien (NO)
Agent: ACAPO ONSAGERS AS (NO)

Abstract and drawing

Disclaimer: This text has been machine-scanned and may contain errors – please refer to "Publications" for legally binding content.

This document describes a holding device (200) for locking stored pipes (400) on a floating object in a fixed position, the device (200) comprises at least one securing element (240) adapted to be arranged and to secure a pipe (400) in a pen (330). The document also describes a storage system (100) for storing pipes (400) on a floating object, wherein the system (100) comprises a fingerboard rack comprising at least one fingerboard (300), the at least one fingerboard (300) comprising a holding device (200), and further a use of a holding device in a storage system (100) for horizontal storage of pipes (400).

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Date

Date	Doc. No.	Process	Case number	In/Out	Journal description	To/from
03.11.2026	09-01	Saksbehandling	20250180	UT	Substantive Examination	ACAPO ONSAGERS AS
22.07.2026	08-04	Saksbehandling	20250180	INN	P41542NO00 Krav renskrevet	ACAPO ONSAGERS AS
22.07.2026	08-03	Saksbehandling	20250180	INN	P41542NO00 Krav annotert	ACAPO ONSAGERS AS
22.07.2026	08-02	Saksbehandling	20250180	INN	P41542NO00 Besvarelse	ACAPO ONSAGERS AS
22.07.2026	08-01	Saksbehandling	20250180	INN	Korrespondanse (Hovedbrev inn)	ACAPO ONSAGERS AS
02.07.2026	07-01	Saksbehandling	20250180	UT	PT Bekreftelse på fristutsettelse	ACAPO ONSAGERS AS
09.04.2026	06-01	Saksbehandling	20250180	UT	Substantive Examination	ACAPO ONSAGERS AS
06.01.2026	05-04	Saksbehandling	20250180	INN	P41542NO00 Krav renskrevet	ACAPO ONSAGERS AS
06.01.2026	05-03	Saksbehandling	20250180	INN	P41542NO00 Krav annotert	ACAPO ONSAGERS AS
06.01.2026	05-02	Saksbehandling	20250180	INN	P41542NO00 Besvarelse	ACAPO ONSAGERS AS
06.01.2026	05-01	Saksbehandling	20250180	INN	Korrespondanse (Hovedbrev inn)	ACAPO ONSAGERS AS
03.12.2025	02-01	Overdragelse av søknad/rettighet	2025/12568	UT	GH Forespørsel	ACAPO ONSAGERS AS
28.11.2025	01-03	Overdragelse av søknad/rettighet	2025/12568	INN	P41542NO00 Overdragelse	ACAPO ONSAGERS AS
28.11.2025	01-02	Overdragelse av søknad/rettighet	2025/12568	INN	GPOA Mutech AS	ACAPO ONSAGERS AS
28.11.2025	01-01	Overdragelse av søknad/rettighet	2025/12568	INN	Generell henvendelse	ACAPO ONSAGERS AS
16.09.2025	04-02	Saksbehandling	20250180	UT	PT report 08:12:36
16.09.2025	04-01	Saksbehandling	20250180	UT	Substantive Examination	ACAPO ONSAGERS AS
08.05.2025	03-02	Saksbehandling	20250180	INN	P21112NO00 Generell fullmakt	ACAPO AS
08.05.2025	03-01	Saksbehandling	20250180	INN	Korrespondanse (Hovedbrev inn)	ACAPO AS
18.02.2025	02-01	Saksbehandling	20250180	UT	Formalia 1	ACAPO AS
17.02.2025	01-03	Saksbehandling	20250180	INN	P21112NO00 Søknadstekst	ACAPO AS
17.02.2025	01-02	Saksbehandling	20250180	INN	P21112NO00 Figurer	ACAPO AS
17.02.2025	01-01	Saksbehandling	20250180	INN	Søknadsskjema Patent	ACAPO 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

TITLE: HOLDING DEVICE FOR PIPES STORED ON VESSELS

Field of the invention

The present invention relates to a holding device for locking stored pipes on a floating object in a fixed position. The holding device comprises at least one securing element adapted to be arranged and to secure a pipe in a pen. The present invention also relates to a storage system comprising the holding device for locking stored pipes on a floating object in a fixed position. and the use of the holding device in the storage system.

Background of the invention

Drilling rigs and drilling ships are floating units or vessels used to drill for oil and gas offshore. The drilling rigs and drilling ships are moving along with the waves of the sea and are in a constant movement.

Pipes for drilling stored on the rigs, particularly on offshore floating rigs, are either stored vertically or horizontally on the derrick of the rigs. The pipes are stored one by one or two or more together.

Drilling from a floating offshore rig into the seabed and further into the earth curst provides several drill pipes screwed together to form a drill string. Each pipe is about 9 meters long, and they are typically stored at the rig in a length of about 36 meters with four pipes screwed together. One unit of four pipes has a weight of about 1.4 tons. To store these 36 meters long units of pipes, the rig is typically provided with a setback for vertically storing of the pipes on the derrick of the rig. The pipes are stored in finger racks, each finger racks may for instance comprise two fingerboards in 15 meters and 32 meters height respectively. The finger boards comprise spaces or pens for each individual pipe or for two or more pipes in each space or pen. A fingerboard comprises a steel structure of several f ingers parallelly arranged, a finger being an elongated element, and the pipes are being stored a long each finger in rows between these fingers. Latches mounted on the fingers separate each space or pen, and each pipe is thus having its own space or pen on the fingerboard. However, the pens are not fitting exactly to the diameter of the pipes, since the diameter may vary from pipe to pipe, leaving a clearance of up to several centimetres between the pipe and the fingerboard, permitting each pipe to move within its pen. The fingerboard may look like a ski rack, where each pair of ski has its own pen.

Hundreds of pipes may be stored in the fingerboard at the same time.

Since the pipes have a clearance of free space within their pens, the pipes can move within their pens when the rig is moving in response to the waves. Pipes being metal pipes and the elements of the fingerboard being made of metal, the movement of the pipes towards the fingerboard causes a lot of noise. The pipes being exposed to vibration, shock and strokes towards the fingerboard may also experience fatigue, cracks, abrasion etc. The fingerboard, and in particularly the latches of the fingerboard, will also be experience fatigue, cracks, abrasion due to the continuous vibration, shock and strokes from the pipes, which causing time and cost due to maintenance and replacement of parts of the fingerboards. The noise, fatigue and cracks could have been avoided if the pipes had an exact fit within their pens.

The noise is a considerable problem, particularly in a HSE (Health, environment, and safety) perspective, as the noise exceeds far beyond permitted noise level. The noise level affects the working environment, and the noise can be heard not only on deck of the rig, but also inside the rig. The noise affects the hearing of the operator on deck, and hearing protection is used for relief, and then often double hearing protection. Operators handling chemicals needs several hearing protections to swap between dependent upon work tasks. The hearing protection must often be replaced, about once a year. This is a huge cost for rig companies. Several solutions have been tested; however, none have been sufficient remedy the noise problem.

Noise can affect the health of the operators on several levels, it could affect the cardiovascular system, contribute to stress, muscle tension, the ability to concentrate, it is irritating and tiring, and can reduce the quality of sleep and rest. On the deck of the rig, the noise makes communication and hearing alarms etc. difficult or impossible, and the risk of accident increases.

There is thus a need for solutions to overcome the above-mentioned problems.

Disclosure of the state of art

From EP3218568A1 is known a method for placing and removing pipe from a finger rack of a drilling rig. The finger rack having at least one finger board having at least to fingers defining a slot and a multiplicity of latches arranged therebetween defining a space for a pipe. The system comprises at least one camera having at least one latch in a field of view. The camera captures images sent to a computer analysing the image of whether a pipe can be placed or removed from the system.

From EP1916379A1 is known a horizontal pipes storage and handling system having a stationary frame, a tilting frame movably coupled to the stationary frame, a pipe rack movably coupled to the tilting frame and an arm. The pipe rack has a storage end and is configured to support a plurality of pipes. The tilting frame includes a loading end and is movable between a loading position where the loading end is positioned at a higher elevation than the storage end and an unloading position wherein the storage end is positioned at a higher elevation than the loading end. An arm engages a single pipe and moves the single pipe onto or off of the tilting frame.

From EP2554784B1 is known a fingerboard latch assembly comprising a latch for lockingly retaining a tubular to the fingerboard. The latch being movable between an opened and closed position by means of a positioner communicating with a process control network (PCN). The positioner captures position data for the latch and communicates the data to the PCN. The fingerboard comprising a plurality of elongated fingerboard rows for receiving a plurality of tubulars. Each row comprising adjacent fingers, laterally spaced apart to receive the tubulars therein. Each fingerboard row is having a plurality of corresponding latches for securing corresponding tubulars.

Objects of the present invention

An object of the present invention is to reduce noise from pipes stored at floating objects.

Another object of the present invention is to reduce the risk of fatigue of pipes stored at floating objects.

Yet another object of the present invention is to reduce the risk of cracks in the stored pipes at floating objects.

A further object of the present invention is to eliminate movements of pipes stored at floating objects.

Summary of the invention

In the following, and throughout the specification, the following terms means:

The term “rig” means floating drilling rigs or drilling ships.

The term “floating vessels” means floating drilling rigs or drilling ships.

The term “pen” means a space or room for storing a pipe and wherein the pen is formed between two latches, a wall at which the latches are connected and protruding out from towards a wall opposite the wall at which the latches are connected and/or between a latch, a wall opposite the latch a wall at which the latches are connected and protruding out from towards a wall opposite the wall at which the latches are connected.

The term “fingerboard” means a plurality of pens arranged in a layer or level. The fingerboard is typically formed by a plurality of parallelly arranged fingers or rows, wherein a plurality of spaces are formed between two fingers or rows. The spaces being divided by gates and at a first end of the plurality of parallel fingers or rows is a wall arranged perpendicularly to the finger or row. At the second end, opposite the first end of the plurality of parallel fingers or rows there is arranged one gate between two and two fingers. Each gate starting from the second end presents an opening into a pen. The gates are formed by latches.

The term “finger rack” means fingerboard arranged in levels. The pipes to be stored are having a length providing support at different levels along the length of the pipe, thus each pipe may be supported by one, two or more levels of fingerboards.

The term “latch” means a gate element pivotally arranged and adapted to be in a closed position preventing a pipe stored within the pen from leaving/be taken out of the pen and an open position wherein the pipe is free to leave the pen/be taken out of the pen.

The term “vertical” means perpendicular to a derrick of a floating object, floating on the sea, and parallel to pipes to be vertically arranged when stored at the derrick.

The term “horizontal” means parallel to the derrick of the floating object floating on the sea, and perpendicular to “vertical” and to the pipes to be vertically arranged when stored at the derrick.

In a first aspect, the invention relates to a holding device for locking stored pipes on a floating object in a fixed position. The holding device comprises at least one securing element adapted to be arranged and to secure a pipe in a pen, providing the pen in a firm position within the pen, without moving within the pen due to waves and wind acting on the floating object.

In embodiments, the securing device is a magnet, providing a hold on or attraction of the pipe to keep it in a firm and steady position not responding to the constantly moving floating object due to waves, wind, currents etc., and without a need for strapping og with other means for holding the pipe in a firm and steady position.

In embodiments, the securing device is an electromagnet. An electromagnet generates an electromagnetic field through supply of electric current. The supply of electric current can be controlled and turned on and off, thus securing the pipe for storage and releasing a pipe to fetch it from the storage.

In embodiments, the electromagnet is controlled by a control unit or a computer. The electric current can be both manually and automatically controlled to switch the electromagnet on and off at a distance, e.g., in a control room or for safety reasons a distance from the storage location at the derrick.

In embodiments, the securing device is a permanent magnet. A permanent magnet constantly/permanently provides a magnetic field.

In embodiments, the pen is formed within at least one wall and a latch arranged to project from the at least one wall. Each pipe is thus kept in a closed space during storage, without the risk of falling out onto the derrick etc. when malfunction of a magnet, either by an electrical fault or unintentionally cover of a magnet or at extreme weather conditions where pipes are accidentally being knocked out of the connection with the magnet.

In embodiments, the latch is pivotally arranged to the at least one wall, and wherein the latch is adapted to be in an open or closed position to receive or fetch a pipe in storage when in open position, and to keep the pipe in storage when in closed position.

In embodiments, a pen is formed within two parallelly arranged walls, and perpendicular to the two parallelly arranged walls an end wall and a pivotally arranged latch, the end wall and the latch arranged at opposite ends of the parallelly arranged walls. The latch is adapted to be in an open or closed position to receive or fetch a pipe in storage when in open position, and to keep the pipe in storage when in closed position.

In embodiments, a plurality of pens is formed between two parallelly arranged walls, and perpendicular two the two parallelly arranged walls an end wall and a pivotally arranged end latch, the end wall and the end latch being arranged at opposite ends of the two parallelly arranged walls, at least one further pivotally arranged latch arranged parallel to and between the end wall and the end latch. Thus, forming storage for a plurality of pipes, wherein pipes can be fetched from storage in the order from the end latch and outermost pen towards the end wall and innermost pen. And the storage is filled by filling pipes from the innermost pen towards the outermost pen.

In embodiments, each latch is pivotally arranged to protrude from a first wall of the parallelly arranged walls towards a second wall of the parallelly arranged walls, and wherein each latch is adapted to be in an open or closed position, to retrieve pipes or place pipes for storage when in the open position, and to keep within the pen when stored.

In embodiments, each latch is in the open position pivoted to point perpendicularly to the first wall or first finger.

In embodiments, each latch is in the open position pivoted to point parallel to the first wall or first finger, in a direction pointing out of the pen.

In embodiments, the plurality of pens forms a row of pens.

In embodiments, the first wall forms a first finger and wherein the second wall forms a second finger.

In embodiments, the second of the two fingers form the first finger of a further row of pens.

In embodiments, the holding device comprises a plurality of rows of pens, wherein the last second finger of the plurality of rows of pens forms an end finger wall of the plurality of rows of pens, providing storage of a plurality of pipes.

In embodiments, an electrical switch activates and deactivates the electromagnet, to control fixation or hold of each pipe in each pen.

In embodiments, the electrical switch is adapted to be controlled by means of the pivotally arranged latch(es) of the pen, the electrical switch switching the electromagnet on when the latch is in a closed position and switching the electromagnet off when the latch is in an open position.

In embodiments, the at least one permanent magnet is adapted to attract the pipe when the pivotally arranged latch is in a closed position.

In embodiments, the holding device furth comprises, an elongated plate adapted to be attached to the first finger of a row of pens, attachment elements adapted to attach the elongated plate together with the first finger of the row of pens and a plurality of securing elements for engaging with pipes. The plurality of securing elements are connected to the elongated plate, on the side of the elongated plate facing away from the first finger towards the second finger of the row of pens, or towards the inner space of each pen. Each securing element is preferably centrally positioned on the first finger within each pen.

In embodiments, the attachment elements are formed by two flanges or brackets, one on each end of the elongated plate, the flanges or brackets being adapted to enclose ends of the finger or row, to provide attachment to each row.

In embodiments, the attachment elements are a plurality of bolts arranged in holes arranged along the length of the elongated plate and adapted to be threaded through the holes of the elongated plate and screwed into corresponding holes in the first finger of the row of pens.

In embodiments, at least one securing element is adapted to selectively engage with a pipe located in a pen.

In a second aspect, the invention relates to a storage system comprising a fingerboard rack comprising at least one fingerboard. The at least one fingerboard comprises a holding device for locking stored pipes on a floating object in a fixed position.

In embodiments, the at least one securing device is arranged within a latch. The opening and closing of the latch can switch the switch for turning an electromagnet off and on, or can release or engage a permanent magnet.

In embodiments, the at least one securing device is arranged in, or at the first finger, between the end wall and the latch closest to the end wall, and between latches. Preferably centrally between the end wall and the latch closest to the end wall, and preferably centrally between latches.

In embodiments, the at least one securing device is arranged in, or at the second finger, between the end wall and the latch closest to the end wall, and between each latch. Preferably centrally between the end wall and the latch closest to the end wall, and preferably centrally between latches.

In embodiments, the fingerboard rack comprises two fingerboards arranged at different heights. To provide support of the pipes at different heights along the lengths of the pipes.

In embodiments, one of the fingerboards is arranged at 15 meters height of the finger rack and the other fingerboard is arranged at 32 meters height of the finger rack. Providing a substantially balanced support of the pipes along the lengths of the pipes.

In a third aspect, the present invention relates to a use of a holding device in a storage system for vertical storage of pipes.

By utilizing an elongated metal plate having securing elements arranged in the longitudinal direction of the metal plate, the metal plate being adapted to be attached to a finger of a fingerboard configured to pipes within single pens or spaces formed between fingers and latches arranged in the longitudinal direction of the fingers and extending in a perpendicular direction to the fingers. Each space or pen having an allocated securing element for holding a pipe in a fixed and firm position, without moving within the slack or free room of each pen. Magnets are introduced as securing elements, wherein the magnets can be activated and deactivated dependent upon the present of a pipe or not and deactivated upon retrieving a pipe from the pen and activated when storing a pipe in a pen. When activated, the pipes will stand completely still in position, even with large movements of the floating vessel or rig. The powerful and harmful noise from the stored pipes are eliminated. The strength of the magnets may be increased by adding more and/or stronger magnets in each pen, if necessary.

The holding device of the invention may be a part of a new storage for pipes on a floating object or a rig or may be retrofitted with existing storage system on floating objects or rigs.

Each magnet typically carries about 200 kg, however the pipes are not to be carried by the magnets, only to lean towards the magnet, keeping and maintaining the pipe position within the pen and constantly in contact with the magnet when stored. Thus, not moving around within a pen when stored. Extra or less support from magnets can be provided by increasing or decreasing the strength of the magnets or adding more or removing magnets.

Description of the figures

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the following figures, wherein:

Figure 1 shows schematically in perspective prior art of a finger rack for storage of pipes on a drilling rig.

Figure 2 shows schematically prior art of a horizontal pipes storage and handling system for a drilling rig.

Figure 3 shows schematically prior art of pipes stored in a section of a fingerboard.

Figure 4 shows schematically in perspective the holding device for pipes stored on floating vessels.

Figure 5 shows schematically in perspective a plurality of holding devices assembled with a fingerboard for storing pipes on floating vessels.

Figure 6 shows schematically in perspective a close up of figure 5, a pipe can be seen stored in one of the pens of the fingerboard.

Description of preferred embodiments of the invention

The following description of the exemplary embodiments refers to the accompanying drawings. The drawings illustrate exemplary embodiments of the invention configured to be integrated in building block systems. The exemplary embodiments disclosed in the drawings should not be understood as a limitation to the scope of protection of the invention.

The same reference numbers in different drawings identify the same or similar elements. The following detailed description does not limit the invention. Instead, the scope of the invention is defined by the appended claims.

Reference throughout the specification to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” means that a particular feature, structure or characteristic described in connection with an embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the subject matter disclosed. Thus, the appearance of the phrases “in one embodiment” or “in an embodiment” in various places throughout the specification is not necessarily referring to the same embodiment. Further particular features, structures or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner or in one or more embodiments.

Figure 1 shows schematically in perspective prior art of a fingerboard 300 for storage of pipes 400 on a drilling rig. Four fingers 310 arranged in parallel three of whom having latches 320 dividing a room between fingers into pens or spaces 330 for individually storage of pipes 400. A camera is overviewing the storage space of the fingerboard 300 and registers whether a pipe 400 is present or not and controls the latches 320 between an open and closed position, wherein a pipe 400 is retained within its pen 330 when a belonging latch 320 is in a closed position.

Figure 2 shows schematically prior art of a horizontal pipe storage and handling system for a drilling rig. The pipes 400 are not separated by latches or any other means while stored, the pipes 400 are positioned side by side in each layer, the outer surface of a pipe 400 toward the outer surface of the next pipe 400.

Figure 3 shows schematically prior art of pipes stored in a section of a fingerboard 300. Three parallel elongated fingerboard rows or fingers 310 are shown, each row or finger 310 comprises latches 320 for securing pipes 400 to the fingerboard 300, where each latch 320 being movable between an opened and closed position.

Figure 4 shows schematically in perspective a holding device 200 for pipes 400 stored on floating vessels or rigs. A flat elongated plate element 210 standing on one of its side edges 211 having a plurality of securing elements 240 attached to one of the flat surfaces of the elongated plate element 210. Each securing element 240 is configured to hold one pipe 400 in position, and the room each securing element forms towards the room of the neighboring securing element(s) is forming a space or pen for one pipe 400 to be held by the securing element 240.

The securing elements 240 are attached to a finger or row 310 by means of brackets 220 onto which the securing elements 240 are attached either prior to or after the brackets 220 are screwed, nailed or welded onto the elongated plate element 210. The bracket 220 may be formed with a backing surface element 221 parallel with the standing elongated plate element 210 and optionally with a supporting element 222 perpendicular to the backing surface element 221, the supporting element 222 supporting the securing element 240 from underneath, the securing element 240 standing on the supporting element 222. The bracket 220 is shown having through holes 223 on the supporting element 222 adapted to receive bolts for securing the holding device 200 to a row or finger of a fingerboard. The supporting element 222 may also be a support plate 222.

The ends 211 of the elongated plate element 210 are shown with different flanges or brackets 500 adapted to fix the holding device 200 to a row or a finger 310 of a fingerboard 300. The securing element 240 can be activated to attract a pipe 400 to a holding position. Each securing device 240 may be a magnet, which when activated, attracts and secures the pipe 400 to it. By turning the magnet on and off, the pipe 400 is either being secured or released from the securing element 240. Each securing element 240 is shown having one magnet, but it is not limited to one magnet, it may have several magnets placed side by side and/or on top of each other. It may have e.g. two, three or four magnet in a suitable configuration.

Figure 5 shows schematically in perspective a plurality of holding devices 200 assembled with a fingerboard 300 for storing pipes 400 on floating vessels. Each elongated plate 210 of each holding device 200 being attached on top of each first finger 310a. The last second finger 310b of the fingerboard 300 is not shown. A fingerboard 300 is typically part of a finger rack with two or more fingerboards 300 assembled in heights. With two fingerboards 300 in a rack, it may be assembled at two heights, e.g., one at 15 meter height, and the other at 32 meter heights. A fingerboard 300 is typically comprising a plurality of fingers or rows 310 arranged in a parallel configuration. Each finger or row 310 comprises a plurality of rotatable or pivotable latches 320, wherein the latches 320 are arranged in the length direction of each finger or row 310. The latches 320 are extending perpendicular out from each finger or row 310 in a first position and are either being tilted vertically up or down or rotated to point parallel to the fingers or rows 310 in a second position. The first position representing a closed position of the latches 320, the second position representing an open position of the latches 320. In figure 5, the latches 320 are shown in a closed position arranged on top of the row or finger 310.

The distance between two and two latches 320 forms a space or pen 330 for each pipe 400 to be placed for storing. One end of each row or finger 310 comprises an end wall 340, which forms the inner space or pen in a storage system, the other end comprising a latch 320 for opening and closing a first or outer space or pen 330, pipes 400 can be retrieved from storage or inserted for storage from one side of the fingerboard 300. The end wall may 340 be a single end wall 340 for one row or finger 310, wherein the end walls 340 of each row or fingers are connected together, or one elongated end wall 340 extending from one row or finger 310 to the next row or finger 310, etc. The latches 320 extend in the closed position towards a neighboring row or finger 310. A last row or finger 310 having no neighboring row or finger 310 towards which the latches 320 are extending, may have an empty row or finger 310 without latches 320 or a simple end plate arranged in a distance from the last row or finger 310 equal to the distances between the foregoing rows or fingers 310. The end wall 340 is typically extending to the last row or finger 310 without latches 320 or the simple end plate.

In figure 5, the holding devices is arranged 200, one on each row or finger 310 of the fingerboard 300. The holding devices 200 are arranged such that the securing elements 240 are either flush with a surface 311 from where the latches 320 extends, or the securing elements 240 extending outside this surface 311, here seen flush with the surface 311, on top of a finger. One securing element 240 associated with each space or pen 330 of the fingerboard 300.

Figure 6 shows schematically in perspective a close up of figure 5, a pipe 400 can be seen stored in one inner space or pen 330 of the fingerboard 300. When activating the securing element 240, the securing element 240 will attract the pipe 400 and keep it attached to the securing element 240. In figure 6, the securing element 240 is not yet being activated, e.g., before the magnet is activated, and the pipe 400 is free to move in the room available in the space or pen 330. The holding device is arranged on top o f a first finger 310a.

Table 1

Claims

1. A holding device (200) for locking stored pipes (400) on a floating object in a fixed position, the device (200) comprises:

at least one securing element (240) adapted to be arranged and to secure a pipe (400) in a pen (330).

2. The holding device according to claim 1, wherein the securing device (240) is a magnet.

3. The holding device according to claim 1, wherein the securing device (240) is an electromagnet.

3. Th holding device according to claim 1, wherein the electromagnet is controlled by a control unit or a computer.

4. The holding device according to claim 1, wherein the securing device (240) is a permanent magnet.

5. The holding device according to any preceding claim, wherein the pen (330) is formed within at least one wall and a latch (320) arranged to project from the at least one wall.

6. The holding device according to claim 5, wherein the latch (320) is pivotally arranged to the at least one wall, and wherein the latch (320) is adapted to be in an open or closed position.

7. The holding device according to any preceding claim, wherein a pen (330) is formed within two parallelly arranged walls, and perpendicular to the two parallelly arranged walls an end wall (340) and a pivotally arranged latch (320), the end wall (340) and the latch (320) arranged at opposite ends of the parallelly arranged walls.

8. The holding device according to one of the claims 1-4, wherein a plurality of pens (330) are formed between two parallelly arranged walls, and perpendicular two the two parallelly arranged walls an end wall (340) and a pivotally arranged end latch (320), the end wall (340) and the end latch (320) being arranged at opposite ends of the two parallelly arranged walls, at least one further pivotally arranged latch (320) arranged parallel to and between the end wall (340) and the end latch (320).

9. The holding device according to claim 7 or 8, wherein each latch (320) is pivotally arranged to protrude from a first wall of the parallelly arranged walls towards a second wall of the parallelly arranged walls, and wherein each latch (320) is adapted to be in an open or closed position.

10. The holding device according to one of the claims 5 to 9, wherein, each latch in its open position is pivoted to point perpendicularly to the first wall, in a vertical direction, adapted to be parallel to pipes when stored in the holding device (200).

11. The holding device according to one of the claims 5 to 9, wherein each latch in its open position I pivoted to point parallel to the first wall, in a direction pointing out of the pen.

12. The holding device according to claim 10 or 11, wherein the plurality of pens (330) forms a row of pens.

13. The holding device according one of the claims 8 or claims 9-12 when dependent on claim 8, wherein the first wall forms a first finger (310a) and wherein the second wall forms a second finger (310b).

14. The holding device according to claim 13, wherein the second finger (310b) of the two fingers form the first finger of a further row of pens.

15. The holding device according to claim 13 or 14, wherein the holding device (200) comprises a plurality of rows of pens (330), wherein the last second finger (310b) of the plurality of rows of pens forms an end finger wall of the plurality of rows of pens (330).

16. The holding device according to one of the claims 5-15 when dependent to claim 3 or 4, wherein an electrical switch activates and deactivates the electromagnet.

17. The holding device according to claim 16, wherein the electrical switch is adapted to be controlled by means of the pivotally arranged latch(es) (320) of the pen (330), the electrical switch switching the electromagnet on when the latch (320) is in a closed position and switching the electromagnet off when the latch (320) is in an open position.

18. The holding device according to claim 4 or to one of the claims 5-15 when dependent on claim 4, wherein the at least one permanent magnet is adapted to attract the pipe (400) when the pivotally arranged latch (320) is in a closed position.

19. The holding device according to claim 13-15 or one of the claims 16-18 when dependent on one of the claims 13 to 15, wherein the holding device (200) comprises:

− an elongated plate (210) adapted to be attached to the first finger (310a) of a row of pens (330);

− attachment elements adapted to attach the elongated plate (210) together with the first finger (310a) of the row of pens (330);

− a plurality of securing elements for engaging with pipes (400);

wherein the plurality of securing elements (240) are connected to the elongated plate (210), on the side of the elongated plate (210) facing away from the first finger (310a) towards the second finger (310b) of the row of pens (330).

20. The holding device according to claim 19, wherein the attachment elements are formed by two flanges or brackets (230), one on each end of the elongated plate (210), , the flanges or brackets (230) being adapted to enclose ends of the first finger (310a).

21.. The holding device according to one of the claims 19 or 20, wherein the attachment elements are a plurality of bolts arranged in holes arranged along the length of the elongated plate and adapted to be threaded through the holes of the elongated plate (210) and screwed into corresponding holes in the first finger (310a) of the row of pens (330).

22. The holding device according to any of the preceding claim, wherein at least one securing element (240) is adapted to selectively engage with a pipe (400) located in a pen (330).

23. A storage system (100) for storing pipes (400) on a floating object, wherein the system (100) comprises:

− a fingerboard rack comprising at least one fingerboard (300), the at least one fingerboard (300) comprising:

o a holding device (200) according to any preceding claim.

24. The storage system according to claim 23, wherein the at least one securing device (240) is arranged within a latch (320).

25 The storage system according to claim 23, wherein the at least one securing device (240) is arranged in, or at the first finger (310a), between the end wall (340) and the latch (320) closest to the end wall (340), and between each latch (320).

26. The storage system according to claim 23, wherein the at least one securing device (340) is arranged in, or at the second finger (310b), between the end wall (340) and the latch (320) closest to the end wall (340, and between each latch (320).

27. Storage system according to one of the claims 23-26, wherein the fingerboard rack comprises two fingerboards (300) arranged at different heights.

28. Storage system according to claim 27, wherein one of the fingerboards (300) is arranged at 15 meters height of the finger rack and the other fingerboard (300) is arranged at 32 meters height of the finger rack, the height measured from a support surface at which the fingerboard rack is placed.

29. Use of a holding device in a storage system (100) according to one of the claims 23-28 for vertical storage of pipes (400).

Drawings

Priority

No priority

Patent classes

IPC classes

E21B 19/14

E21B 19/16

CPC classes

E21B 19/14

E21B 19/165

Citations

US 2628725 A (A)

EP 3218568 B1 (B1)

SE 1851115 A1 (A1)

Applicants, owners and inventors

Applicants

Mutech AS

Venåsen 4

5232 PARADIS

NO (BERGEN Municipality, Vestland county)

Org. number: 936570542

Inventors

Thomas Lien

Venåsen 4

5232 PARADIS

NO (BERGEN Municipality, Vestland county)

Agent

ACAPO ONSAGERS AS

Edvard Griegs vei 1

5059 BERGEN

NO (BERGEN Municipality, Vestland county)

Org. number: 932214636

Reference: P41542NO00

Status history

Payment history

Oppositions and appeals

No oppositions or appeals

Administrative limitation

No administrative limitation

Liens and licences

No liens or licenses registered

Gazette entries

No Gazette entries found

Only events from 2024.03.04 and onwards are shown.