TECHNICAL SPECIFICATION

The present invention relates to a diving system.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In the diving/submersion field, the diving systems usually comprise a watercraft, which has a moon pool and a handling system that serves for the descent of a diving bell to the sea through the moon pool.

There are also diving systems which consist of a watercraft and handling system for immersion of remotely operated diving device (Remotely Operated Vehicle - ROV) directly to the sea, i.e. outside the watercraft.

The usage of remotely operated diving devices in this type of systems can be extremely difficult, especially in strong wave motion conditions; the remotely operated diving devices are substantially lowered into the open sea.

Object of this invention is to supply a diving system, which allows to overcome, at least partially, the disadvantages of the common systems and at the same time to be simple and economical to realize.

SUMMARY

According to the present invention, a diving system is provided as recited in the following independent claims and, preferably, in any of the claims, directly or indirectly dependent on the independent claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES

A non-limiting embodiment of the present invention will be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a plan view, with certain portions removed for enhanced clarity, of a system in accordance with the present invention in the first operational conformation;

- Figure 2 is a plan view, with certain portions removed for enhanced clarity, of the system of Figure 1 in the second operational conformation;

Figure 3 is a side view, with certain portions removed for enhanced clarity, of the system of Figure 1 in the first operational conformation;

Figure 4 is a side view, with certain portions removed for enhanced clarity, of the system of Figure 1 in the second operational conformation;

Figures 5 and 6 are top views of a part of the system of Figure 1 in two alternative conformations; and

Figures 7 and 8 are side views of a part of the system of Figure 1 on an enlarged scale in two consecutive conformations .

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Number 1 in Figures 1 and 3 indicates as a whole a diving, having a watercraft 2 which has a moon pool 3 for immersions in the water (in particular, to the sea) ; a submersible chamber 4 (diving bell) ; and a handling assembly 5 adapted to descend the submersible chamber 4 to the water (the sea) by means- of moon pool 3.

In particular, submersible chamber 4 has an internal compartment that can be isolated from the exterior and can accommodate the operators .

Moon pool 3 open at the bottom is located in the watercraft 2 interior. In other words, moon pool 3 is delimited along its perimeter by perimeter walls 3a.

The diving system 1 comprises also a remotely operated diving device 6 and a handling assembly 7 for immersing the remotely operated diving device 6 into the water W (the sea) both from the exterior (in particular laterally) of the watercraft 2 and through moon pool 3. More specifically, the handling assembly 7 immerses the remotely operated diving device 6 into the water W (the sea) beyond the lateral edge LB of the watercraft 2.

The diving system 1 is very flexible because of the possibility to use simultaneously the submersible chamber 4 and the remotely operated diving device 6 in different sea state conditions. In particular, if the wave motion is high, the remotely operated diving device 6 can be lowered by means of moon pool 3 (possibly together with the submersible chamber 4) ; if the wave motion is restrained, the remotely operated diving device 6 can be lowered from the exterior of the watercraft 2 (in this way the available space is greater and the risk of interference between the submersible chamber 4 and the remotely operated diving device 6 is lower) .

Advantageously, the moon pool 3 has a surface of at least 25 m ² (more specifically, up to 35 m ² ) , in particular circa 28 m ² . In particular, moon pool 3 has the width of at least 6 m (more specifically, up to 11 m) , in particular circa 7 m, and length of at least 3 m (more specifically, up to 5) , in particular circa 4 m.

Moreover, the usage of the submersible chamber 4 and remotely operated diving device 6 from the same moon pool 3 is particularly advantageous (compared to the use of two different moon pools) for the watercraft 2 structure.

Typically, the remotely operated diving device 6 comprises (more specifically, is) a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) . In particular, the remotely operated diving device 6 is equipped with a handling unit which allows the vertical and/or horizontal movement in water of the remotely operated diving device 6 and (for this purpose) has a plurality of propellers 8 (as shown in Figures 5 and 6) . The remotely operated diving device 6 comprises also one or more robotic arms 9 to perform the underwater operations. In particular, the remotely operated diving device 6 is controlled by operators from the watercraft 2.

Referring particularly to Figures 1 and 2, advantageously, the handling assembly 7 is adapted to move the remotely operated diving device 6 along the path PI between a (diving) position A in the area of (more precisely, above) the moon pool 3 and a (diving) position B at the watercraft 2 exterior. In particular, the handling assembly 7 is adapted to move the remotely operated diving device 6 from position A to position B (along the path PI) in a given direction V. The handling assembly 7 is adapted to translate the remotely operated diving device 6 from the position B to the position A (along the path PI) .

According some embodiments, the handling assembly 7 comprises one mobile support 10 (more specifically, a trolley) along the path PI. In particular, the handling assembly 7 comprises a guide (track) 11, extending (along the path PI) from position A to position B and along which the support 10 can move. More precisely, the guide 11 comprises two rails 12, that are substantially parallel. During the use, the wheels of support 10 scroll on these rails.

In Figure 1, the system 1 is illustrated without some portions, including the mobile support 10, for enhanced clarity. In Figure 2, the system 1 is illustrated without some portions, including the remotely operated diving device 6, for enhanced clarity.

In Figure 1 the remotely operated diving device 6 is illustrated in position A. In Figure 2 the support 10 is positioned so as to allow the remotely operated diving device 6 to reach the position B. In Figure 8 the remotely operated diving device 6 is placed in position B.

In particular, the handling assembly 7 includes also an actuator device (of a known but not shown type) to translate the support 10 along the guide 11. Usually, the actuator device comprises a fluid-operated actuator (for example one or more hydraulic pistons) .

In some embodiments (see Figures 7 and 8) , the mobile support 10 has a main structure 13 and a part 14 extendable with respect to the main structure 13. The part 14 can be extended in the direction towards V.

Moreover, the part 14 is acted to retract in the direction opposite to the direction towards V.

In some cases, the mobile support 10 comprises two telescopic arms 15 (longitudinally extendable in the direction towards V from the conformation illustrated in Figure 7 to the conformation illustrated in Figure 8) and one beam 16, that is transversal (substantially perpendicular) to the arms 15 and which the remotely operated diving device 6 is connected to. The beam 16 is integrally connected to the arms 15.

In particular, the movement of extension and retraction of the arms 15 is performed by means of a fluid- operated actuator 15' .

The extendable part 14 allows the remotely operated diving device 6 to move off the watercraft 2 in a particularly efficient and safe way when the remotely operated diving device 6 needs to be immerged at the watercraft 2 exterior.

Advantageously, the system 1 comprises a stabilization unit 17 (partially illustrated in Figures 3, 4, 7 and 8) to compensate possible undulations (in all the directions) of the remotely operated diving device 6 compared to the watercraft 2. Usually, the stabilization unit 17 is mounted on the beam 16 and is, therefore, positioned between the remotely operated diving device 6 and the mobile support 10.

In particular, the stabilization unit 17 comprises a ball joint and four hydraulic shock absorbers 18 (only two of them illustrated in Figures 3 and 4) .

In Figure 4 the remotely operated diving device 6 is illustrated in a raised position (above the moon pool 3 level) , in Figure 3 the remotely operated diving device. 6 is illustrated in partially lowered position (in the moon pool 3 interior) . In some embodiments, one intermediate station 19 (Tether Management System - TMS) is provided to be lowered together with the remotely operated diving device 6 into the sea. When the desired depth is reached, the remotely operated diving device 6 is disconnected from the intermediate station 19. The intermediate station 19 is typically positioned between the remotely operated diving device 6 and the stabilization unit 17.

The handling assembly 7 also comprises one actuator device 20 to vertically translate the remotely operated diving device 6 and one connecting cable 21 to transmit the movement from actuator device 20 to remotely operated diving device 6.

Usually, the cable 21 is so called "umbilical cable" and, in addition to the mechanical functions stated above, allows also the electricity and data signals transfer between remotely operated diving device 6 and watercraft 2.

In the depicted embodiment, the cable 21 extends from actuator device 20 to remotely operated diving device 6 passing (partially) around loose pulley (idler) 21' (that is mounted to the stabilization unit 17) , by means of the stabilization unit 17 and the intermediate station 19. In particular, cable 21 has one extremity firmly fastened to the remotely operated diving device 6 (more specifically, it is fastened to the upper part of the remotely operated diving device 6) .

In particular, the actuator device 20 comprises a pulley (winch) 22 and a motor (of a known but not shown type) which enables the pulley 22 rotation around its axis 23. Advantageously, the mentioned motor is of a hydraulic type .

In some embodiments, (particularly shown in Figures 5 and 6) , the system 1 comprises rails 24 to maintain the right positioning of the remotely operated diving device 6 when the remotely operated diving device 6 is being lowered through moon pool 3. To be more precise, the rails 24 are vertically extended in the moon pool 3 interior (and are adapted to mate with the vertical edges of the remotely operated diving device 6) .

As shown in Figures 5 and 6, the rails 24 are positioned so as to allow the remotely operated diving device 6 to descend to the water in two alternative orientations .

In particular (Figures from 1 to 4) , the handling assembly 5 is adapted to move the submersible chamber 4 along the path P2 between the (diving) position C in the area of (more specifically, above) the moon pool 3 and a rest position D at the watercraft 2 interior.

In some embodiments, the handling assembly 5 comprises one support 25 (more specifically, a trolley) mobile along the path P2. In particular, the handling assembly 5 comprises one rail 26 extending (along the path P2) (at least) from position C to position D and along which the support 25 is mobile. More specifically, the track 26 comprises two rails 27, that are substantially parallel. In actual use, wheels of the support 25 scroll on these rails.

In Figure 3 the submersible chamber 4 is illustrated in the position C. In Figure 4 the submersible chamber 4 is illustrated in position D.

In Figure 1 the support 25 is arranged so as the submersible chamber 4 reaches position C. In Figure 2 the support 25 is arranged so as that the submersible chamber 4 reaches position D.

According to the depicted embodiment, (particularly shown in Figures 3 e 4) , a station S for the entry to the submersible chamber 4 (typically, from hyperbaric chambers positioned below) is positioned in the area of position D.

In particular, the handling assembly 5 includes also an actuator device (of a known but not shown type) to move the support 25 along the track 26. Usually, the actuator device comprises a fluid-operated actuator.

Advantageously, the diving system 1 comprises one compensation system 28 (of a known and in Figures 3 and 4 partially illustrated type) to compensate possible undulations (in particular, vertical) of the submersible chamber 4 (when lowering to the water) compared to the watercraft 2. Usually, the compensation system 28 is mounted above the moon pool 3.

In particular, the compensation system 28 comprises a plurality (in particular, eight) of loose pulleys 29 (two of them illustrated in Figures 3 and 4) and a plurality of hydraulic shock absorbers 30 (one of them illustrated in Figures 3 and 4) .

In some embodiments, the handling assembly 5 comprises, moreover, an actuator device 31 to vertically move the submersible chamber 4 and a wire 32 to transmit the movement from the actuator device 31 to the submersible chamber 4.

According to the depicted embodiment, the wire 32 extends from the actuator device 31 to the submersible chamber 4 passing through the compensation system 28. In particular, cable 32 is firmly fastened to the submersible chamber 4 (more precisely, it is fastened to the upper part of the submersible chamber 4) .

In particular, the actuator device 31 comprises a pulley (winch) 33 and a motor (of a known but not shown type) adapted to allow the pulley 33 rotation around its axis 34. Advantageously, the mentioned motor is of a hydraulic type.

According to some embodiments, the handling assembly 5 comprises also an anchor weight 35, which is lowered into the water W, an actuator device 36 to vertically move the anchor weight 35 and a wire 37 able to transmit the movement of actuator device 36 to the anchor weight 35. The wire 37 extends from the actuator device 36, across the anchor weight 35 (so as to define a substantially U-shaped form) , through the compensation system 28 (upstream and downstream of the anchor weight) , to a locking unit (of a known but not shown type) , which is positioned above the moon pool 3 level (in particular, in correspondence with the compensation system 28) blocking one extremity of the cable 37.

Usually, in actual use, the submersible chamber 4 ascents separately from the anchor weight 35.

In particular, the actuator device 36 comprises a pulley (winch) 38 and a motor (of a known but not shown type) to allow the pulley 38 rotation around its axis 39. Advantageously, the mentioned motor is of a hydraulic type.

Advantageously, the diving system 1 comprises also an additional cable (umbilical cable) 40 that allows the transfer of gas, water, electricity and data signals between submersible chamber 4 and the watercraft 2.

The cable 40 extends from the pulley (winch) 41 to the upper extremity of the submersible chamber 4, partially passing around loose pulley 42 and along a guide 43 (curved and integral to the upper extremity of the submersible chamber 4) .

A motor (of a known type but not shown) is adapted to allow the pulley 41 rotation around its axis 44. Advantageously, the mentioned motor is of a hydraulic type.

In certain embodiments, some tubular elements 45 around the submersible chamber 4 are provided to protect the submersible chamber 4 and facilitate the guide (cooperating with fixed elements 46) of the submersible chamber 4 when the bell is being moved vertically through moon pool 3.

In some embodiments, the path PI and the path P2 extend in their respective directions that are transversal (more specifically, substantially perpendicular) . In this way, it is possible to reduce the obstacles and risks of interference between the movements of the submersible chamber 4 and the remotely operated diving device 6.

Advantageously, the track 26 and the guide 11 are positioned at different heights. In this way, it is possible to reduce (further) the obstacles and risks of interference between the movements of the submersible chamber 4 and the remotely operated diving device 6.

In particular, the guide 11 is mounted to the ceiling CL (which also the compensation system 28 is mounted to), whereas the track 26 leans on the deck DK (which also the pulleys 33 and 38 lean on) .

Advantageously, each pulley 22, 33, 38 and 41 is associated to two motors (one used as back-up in case of failure of the other) .

Advantageously, the pulleys 33, 38 and 41 are staggered. In this way the risks of interference between the related cables 32, 37 and 40 are reduced.

Advantageously, the cables 21 and 32 extend in a transversal direction (in particular, substantially perpendicular) .