The invention concerns a device for transfer of objects to and from an unmanned installation area. More specifically, the invention concerns a device which, when in its operational position, is placed between an unmanned, robotized installation area and an adjacent to area, and wherein the device provides a link for transfer of objects between said two areas. The invention also concerns a method for transfer of objects to and from an unmanned installation area, and also a use of a transfer device for the above-mentioned purpose.

It is known to automate and robotize larger or smaller parts of a work process. In context of automation of processes concerned with heavy, mobile work equipment, stringent restrictions against human activity within the automated installation area are imposed on the person in charge. In some cases, the automated area will be completely closed to human activity for as long as a robotized activity is carried out in the area. The disadvantage thereof is that the transfer of objects, for example tools and installation equipment, to and from said unmanned area from and to an adjacent area, may become subject to the same restrictions as mentioned above. A possible solution could be to close off the entire or parts of the activity at the unmanned area in order to allow objects to be transferred to or from the area. The obvious disadvantage thereof is that it may reduce the efficiency of the work operation and also bring about a potential safety risk for personnel temporarily located within a fully or partly automated and robotized installation area.

Patent publication WO2011/061503 describes systems and methods for transfer of materiel for use in oil field operations. The systems are especially suitable for transfer of sand or similar unconsolidated mass from bins or silos.

The object of the invention is to remedy or to reduce at least one of the disadvantages of the prior art, or at least to provide a useful alternative to the prior art. The object is achieved by virtue of features disclosed in the following description and in the subsequent claims.

In a first aspect, the invention concerns a device for transfer of objects to and from an unmanned installation area, wherein the transfer device comprises:

- a frame formed with at least one opening on a side facing outwards in the direction of the unmanned installation area, and an opening on a side facing outwards in the direction of an area adjacent to the unmanned installation area; and

- at least one storage section contained and passing through the frame, wherein the transfer device is characterized in that it comprises at least one positioning device.

Preferably, and when in its operational position, the transfer device will be positioned at the transition between two adjacent areas, at least one thereof being an unmanned installation area. The boundary between the adjacent two areas may be, but is not restricted to, a physical boundary provided in the form of a wall, a fence or similar. In one embodiment, the frame of the transfer device may be an integrated part of the physical boundary.

In a preferred embodiment, the at least one storage section may be provided with a movable storage element. For example, the storage element may be a drawer or similar structured in a manner allowing it to be moved out of the transfer device at both sides of the through storage section. The effect thereof is that objects are allowed to be placed within and withdrawn from the transfer device more readily. The movement of said storage element may be carried out externally by, for example, a person, a machine or a robot pushing or pulling the storage element out of the frame. Alternatively, the very transfer device may be provided with a power supply allowing the storage elements to be pushed or pulled in accordance with instructions from, for example, a person, a machine or a robot. The power supply may be of an electric, pneumatic, or hydraulic type known per se.

In a first embodiment, the transfer device may comprise a passive positioning device. For example, the passive positioning device may be a groove, a recess, a

protuberance or similar in the storage section or in the movable storage element. The passive positioning device will be able to assist in the positioning of an object at a particular placement and/or at a particular orientation. This will be especially advantageous during machine-operated or robotized withdrawal or placement of objects in the transfer device. For example, one particular object may have a permanently assigned storage section in the transfer device. Then, and by means of a passive positioning device, a person, a machine or a robot will always be able to know where, and at which orientation, an object is to be found and where it is to be placed. This will, to a substantial degree, simplify the logistics associated with the transfer of objects between said two adjacent areas.

In a second embodiment, and as an alternative or addition, the transfer device may comprise an active positioning device. In other words, the transfer device comprises a device actively placing and orienting an object in the transfer device. For exa mple, the active positioning device may be provided with a power supply from the above- mentioned sources of power supply. In one embodiment, the active positioning device may be an actuator or a manipulator arm, for example.

In a third embodiment, and as an alternative or addition, the transfer device may comprise a registering positioning device. In other words, the transfer device comprises a device registering an object placed in a storage section or a storage element. For example, it may be one or several sensors of an optical and/or electromechanical type, such as a camera, a photocell, a laser scanner, an MEMS-sensor or similar, detecting at least one of the position, size, orientation and shape of the object. This information may be transmitted, by means of technology known per se, to a robot or similar which is to withdraw the object so as to simplify, in this manner, the logistics during transfer of objects between said two adjacent areas.

Preferably, the transfer device will be connected to a data system, which is of a type known per se, for control of and/or execution of sa id transfer.

In a second aspect, the invention concerns a method for transfer of objects to and from an unmanned installation area, wherein the method makes use of a transfer device comprising :

- a frame formed with at least one opening on a side facing outwards in the direction of the unmanned installation area, and an opening on a side facing outwards in the direction of an area adjacent to the unma nned installation area; and

- at least one storage section contained and passing through the frame, wherei n the method is characterized in that it comprises the following steps :

- providing the at least one storage section with at least one positioning device;

- positioning, from a side of the device facing outwards in the direction of one of said adjacent areas, and by means of the positioning device, an object in at least one storage section of the device; and

- withdrawing, from a side of the device facing outwards in the direction of the other adjacent area, the same object from the at least one storage section of the device. In a third aspect, the invention concerns a use of a transfer device for transferring objects to and from an unmanned installation area.

Hereinafter, non-limiting examples of preferred embodiments are described and are depicted in the accompanying drawings, where:

Fig. 1 shows, in perspective, a first embodiment of a transfer device;

Fig. 2 shows, in smaller scale than that of figure 1, a front view of a transfer device;

Fig. 3 shows a side view of a section as viewed along line A-A of figure 2;

Fig. 4 shows, in the same scale as that of figure 2, a transfer device in two different operational positions;

Fig. 5 shows a top view, and in a small scale, two adjacent installation areas having transfer device disposed between them;

Fig. 6-7 show, in perspective, a second embodiment of the transfer device; and

Fig. 8-9 show, in perspective, a third embodiment of the transfer device.

Hereinafter, reference numeral 1 denotes a device for transfer of objects according to the invention. The transfer device 1 is shown provided with a frame 14 having one or several through storage sections 12 therein. Each storage section 12 is formed with openings 15, 16 in their opposite ends. Each storage section 12 may, for example, be formed in a manner allowing it to accommodate one object. For example, each storage section 12 may be formed to accommodate one particular object, whereby particular objects have particular "addresses" in the transfer device 1. This may simplify machine-operated or robotized withdrawal or placement of objects in the transfer device 1. Objects being transferred via the transfer device 1 are, according to the invention, not limited to objects of a particular category or class but may, in one embodiment, comprise elements from the categories of tools, pipes and pipe parts, and drilling equipment.

Figures 1 to 4 show a first embodiment of the transfer device 1 and, for the sake of simplicity, only one of the storage sections 12 are shown provided with a movable storage element 121, however several of the storage sections 12 may be provided with movable storage elements 121 in alternative embodiments. The movable storage element 121 is formed with a positioning device 13 therein, shown in the figures as a groove. Hereinafter, a positioning device 13 structured to assist in the positioning of an object merely by virtue of its shape, will be termed as a passive positioning device 13. For example, and not limited thereto, it may be a groove, a recess or a

protuberance. As an alternative or addition, the transfer device 1 may comprise one or several active positioning devices 13, such as an actuator or a manipulator a rm (not shown), for example, and/or one or several sensors of a type known per se. The positioning device(s) 13 is/are structured in a manner allowing it/them to keep an object in a particular position and/or at a particular orientation, whereby a machine or a robot, which is to withdraw or place an object in the transfer device 1, is allowed to readily find the correct position. An active positioning device 13 will also be able to "deliver" an object to a person, a machine or a robot.

Preferably, an in its operational position, the transfer device 1 is placed at the transition between an unmanned installation area A and an adjacent area B, as shown in figure 5, wherein the installation area B is enclosing the installation area A. The installation area A may be any type of robotized and/or fully automated installation area . For example, but not limited thereto, it may be an installation area A onto which a fully automated drilling rig is placed . It may be onshore or below the sea level. The installation area B may be a so-called "safe" area approved for human activity but, in alternative embodiments, the installation area B may also be a fully or partly unmanned installation area .

The movable storage element 121 is structured in a manner allowing it to be moved out of the frame 14 both in the direction of area A and in the direction of area B, as shown in figure 4. By means of the above-mentioned forms of power supply (not shown), the storage element 121 may be pushed onto the very transfer device 1, or the movement may be carried out externally by a person, a machine or a robot pulling or pushing the storage element 121.

Figures 6 and 7 show a second embodiment of the transfer device 1. Hidden elements are shown with dashed lines. The transfer device 1 is shown with one storage section 12 having a passive positioning device 13 in the form of a groove. The storage section 12 passes through the frame 14 and comprises no movable storage elements 121. The openings 15, 16 facing outwards in the direction of installation areas A and B, respectively, are structured in a manner allowing them to be covered by hatches 151 and 161, respectively. Preferably, the hatches 151, 161 are adjustable by means of a remote-controlled adjustment device (not shown). Figure 6 shows the transfer device whilst the hatch 151 associated with the opening 15 is in an open position, whereas the hatch 161 associated with the opening 16 is in a closed position so as to allow an object to be placed into the storage sectionel2. Figure 7 shows the transfer device 1 when the object is to be withdrawn from the area A when the hatch 151 is closed and the hatch 161 is open. Figures 8 and 9 show a third embodiment of the transfer device 1. Hidden elements are shown with dashed lines. A rotatable, curved hatch 171 is structured in a manner allowing it to cover the opening 15, as shown in figure 8, and also the opening 16, as shown in figure 9. Reference numeral 2 denotes a person located within the area B.