SEA CHEST MAINTENANCE ACCESS TRUNK

Abstract

The embodiments disclosed herein provide a sea chest maintenance access trunk to a sea chest positioned within a vessel. The access trunk is in fluid communication with the sea chest. A watertight closure is selectively opened or closed and is positioned above the waterline to prevent fluid from entering the vessel when in an open configuration. It also permits diver or ROV access to the sea chest when in an open configuration.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The embodiments disclosed herein generally relate to sea chests and more specifically relate to a sea chest maintenance access trunk.

BACKGROUND

A sea chest is an enclosure, attached to the underwater shell and open to the sea. Sea chests provide a reservoir from which piping systems draw sea water. The sea chest is often protected by fixed and removable grates. To maintain a properly functioning sea chest, divers and remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) are periodically employed to clean the sea chest, sea chest gratings and plug the sea valve(s) and associated piping for maintenance. Other maintenance may include the replacement of anodes and repair of other sea water associated systems. Some maintenance activities require the sea chest gratings to be opened from outside the vessel or the entire sea chest to be covered with a cofferdam. If divers and/or ROVs are employed, the current and sea state may affect their ability to safely and effectively maintain the sea chest. If ROVs and divers are not used, the ship is dry docked for maintenance.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This summary is provided to introduce a variety of concepts in a simplified form that is further disclosed in the detailed description of the embodiments. This summary is not intended for determining the scope of the claimed subject matter.

The embodiments disclosed herein provide a sea chest maintenance access trunk to a sea chest positioned within a vessel. The access trunk is in fluid communication with the sea chest. A watertight closure is selectively opened or closed and is positioned above the waterline to prevent fluid from entering the vessel when in an open configuration. It also permits diver or ROV access to the sea chest when in an open configuration.

In one aspect, the watertight closure is configured as a door or access plate.

In one aspect, the watertight closure permits the diver or the ROV to access the inside of the sea chest.

In one aspect, the sea chest maintenance access trunk facilitates cleaning, pipe plugging, repair of flushing and blowing arrangements, and renewal of anodes among other maintenance processes.

In one aspect, by using the sea chest maintenance access trunk to gain access to the inside of the sea chest for maintenance activities it allows for physical protection of the diver or the ROV.

In one aspect, by using the sea chest maintenance access trunk to gain access to the inside of the sea chest for maintenance activities it allows for protection of the diver or the ROV from currents.

The system allows for improved diver and ROV maintenance of sea chests without the need to drydock the vessel. This allows for increased efficiency when performing tasks such as cleaning, pipe plugging, repair of flushing and blowing arrangements, renewal of anodes, etc. Further, the system provides protected access for the diver and ROV by reducing the effect of currents. Delivery of tools, materials, and services is also simplified.

The system allows for a sea chest maintenance access trunk having no moving parts and requires no operation to present minimal down flooding risk and provides direct access to the sea chest for divers/ROVs.

The existing practice is to use divers from outside to remove the grating, fit a cofferdam or to take the vessel to drydock, as described above.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A complete understanding of the present embodiments and the advantages and features thereof will be more readily understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic of a common sea chest system within a ship, according to some embodiments;

FIG. 2 illustrates a schematic of the sea chest maintenance access trunk having the watertight closures in a sealed configuration, according to some embodiments;

FIG. 3 illustrates a schematic of the sea chest maintenance access trunk having the watertight closures in an open configuration and a diver/ROV and umbilical, according to some embodiments; and

FIG. 4 illustrates a schematic of the sea chest maintenance access trunk having an offset arrangement, according to some embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The specific details of the single embodiment or variety of embodiments described herein are set forth in this application. Any specific details of the embodiments described herein are used for demonstration purposes only, and no unnecessary limitation(s) or inference(s) are to be understood or imputed therefrom.

Before describing in detail exemplary embodiments, it is noted that the embodiments reside primarily in combinations of components related to particular devices and systems. Accordingly, the device components have been represented where appropriate by conventional symbols in the drawings, showing only those specific details that are pertinent to understanding the embodiments of the present disclosure so as not to obscure the disclosure with details that will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of the description herein.

In general, the embodiments provided herein relates to a sea chest maintenance access trunk to allow a diver or ROV to safely and efficiently access the sea chest of a ship. The embodiments allow for maintenance to be performed in conditions that may have prevented such work in the past. The embodiments allow for the avoidance of the cost and impact of removing the vessel to a dry dock or fitting a cofferdam over the sea chest.

The embodiments include the installation of an access trunk from the sea chest to a location within the vessel above the working waterline or other down flooding point. The sea chest maintenance trunk is opened during maintenance periods and allows direct access for ROVs and divers to the inside of the sea chest. Divers can be lowered down the trunk on a diver stage or climb down the trunk on a ladder. ROVs can be lowered down the trunk to the water level and then swim to the sea chest. All tools and materials required for the maintenance activities can be lowered down the trunk or carried down the trunk by the ROV/diver.

The location of the diver/ROV within the sea chest provides physical protection and reduces the effects of current and other sea state conditions and prevents the ROV/diver from being exposed to thrusters or other hazards. This allows tasks normally done from the outside (grate cleaning) to be completed from the inside when conditions would otherwise prevent the activity.

The sea chest maintenance access trunk also simplifies the delivery and utilization of tools, materials, and other services to provide a safe and efficient working environment for the diver and/or ROV.

The sea chest maintenance access trunk extends from the sea chest to a point above the draft of the vessel. The top of the sea chest maintenance access trunk terminates at a watertight access plate or suitable watertight door arrangement. The trunk can be opened if/when required for maintenance access to the sea chest, without flooding the vessel. Divers may then access the sea chest directly to perform required maintenance. Alternate to divers, an ROV may be used. All necessary tools, plugs, utilities, etc. can also be lowered down the trunk.

FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic of a common sea chest system found in many vessels 100. FIG. 1 is used to illustrate the prior art and introduce common sea chest functions.

FIG. 2 illustrates a schematic of the sea chest maintenance access trunk 1 having the watertight closures in a sealed configuration. The sea chest 200 is positioned in the interior 201 of the vessel 100. The access trunk 203 is positioned above the sea chest 200 and above the maintenance waterline 205 to facilitate easy, safe, and efficient access. A watertight closure 207 seals the interior of the sea chest maintenance access trunk 1.

In some embodiments, there is a first sea chest maintenance access trunk 210 and a second sea chest maintenance access trunk 220 positioned in different regions of the vessel 100. One skilled in the arts will readily understand that the vessel may contain multiple sea chest maintenance access trunks, depending on the needs of the vessel. The above example showing two is for exemplary purposes and it is unduly repetitious to include each possible configuration for each ship in which the sea chest maintenance access trunk may be used. In another example, it is common for a large ship to include four or more sea chests.

In some embodiments, the sea chest maintenance access trunk provides a suitably dimension access trunk from the sea chest to a convenient level above a selected vessel working draft (i.e., the waterline 205). The top of the trunk terminates at a watertight access plate (i.e., the watertight closure 207) or other suitable watertight door arrangement.

The sea chest maintenance access trunk can be opened, when required for maintenance access to the sea chest, without flooding the vessel. Divers may then access the sea chest directly to perform required maintenance. Alternate to divers, a small ROV may be used. All necessary tools, plugs, utilities, etc. can also be lowered down the trunk.

FIG. 3 illustrates a schematic of the sea chest maintenance access trunk 1 having the watertight closures 207 in an open configuration and a diver/ROV 300 and umbilical 301 providing services, air, etc. to the diver/ROV 300. When in an open configuration, water is unable to enter the vessel 201 as the access is above the maintenance waterline 205.

FIG. 4 illustrates a schematic of the sea chest maintenance access trunk 1 having an offset arrangement 400. The offset arrangement 400 may allow for the accommodation of various structures and machinery needed to operate the vessel 100. The offset configuration may be utilized as needed, depending on specific vessel, engine type, etc.

The access trunk is a structural element within the hull and will have to be designed to Classification Society Rules, or other practice, to resist the hydrostatic and dynamic forces associated with a floating structure in a seaway. It is expected that the access trunk will be made of reinforced steel or similar materials (depending on the vessel hull material). The access trunk will be routed through the vessel to provide the least impact on operation while providing a direct route to the sea chest. While less than ideal, it is possible that the access trunk will have to incorporate an ‘offset’ to accommodate existing structure or machinery. It is not expected that every sea chest will require an access trunk, as smaller sea chests can be fitted with a closure plate/cofferdam using a small ROV.

In some embodiments, the door may be a bolted plate or can be any arrangement that the Owner and Class Society agree on. One skilled in the arts will readily understand that the configuration of the door may be modified into various known configurations without deterring from the embodiments described herein.

In some embodiments, tools and materials can be lowered down the access trunk to the diver/ROV by a tender or carried down by the diver/ROV depending on the tool being utilized. Processes for maintaining the sea chest is performed within the sea chest. The trunk is opened and the diver/ROV descends to the sea chest from a dry location above the vessel waterline. Upon completion of all work the diver/ROV and tools are recovered from the sea chest via the access trunk and the trunk is sealed.

In some embodiments, wherein the sea chest is incorporated into an ice-going vessel, the ‘Ice Box’ can be incorporated into the access trunk design reducing the length of, or need for, a dedicated access trunk.

Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. All publications, patent applications, patents, and other references mentioned herein are incorporated by reference in their entirety to the extent allowed by applicable law and regulations. The systems and methods described herein may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential attributes thereof, and it is therefore desired that the present embodiment be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive. Any headings utilized within the description are for convenience only and have no legal or limiting effect.

Many different embodiments have been disclosed herein, in connection with the above description and the drawings. It will be understood that it would be unduly repetitious and obfuscating to literally describe and illustrate every combination and subcombination of these embodiments. Accordingly, all embodiments can be combined in any way and/or combination, and the present specification, including the drawings, shall be construed to constitute a complete written description of all combinations and subcombinations of the embodiments described herein, and of the manner and process of making and using them, and shall support claims to any such combination or subcombination.

The foregoing is provided for purposes of illustrating, explaining, and describing embodiments of this disclosure. Modifications and adaptations to these embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art and may be made without departing from the scope or spirit of this disclosure.

As used herein and in the appended claims, the singular forms “a”, “an”, and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

It should be noted that all features, elements, components, functions, and steps described with respect to any embodiment provided herein are intended to be freely combinable and substitutable with those from any other embodiment. If a certain feature, element, component, function, or step is described with respect to only one embodiment, then it should be understood that that feature, element, component, function, or step can be used with every other embodiment described herein unless explicitly stated otherwise. This paragraph therefore serves as antecedent basis and written support for the introduction of claims, at any time, that combine features, elements, components, functions, and steps from different embodiments, or that substitute features, elements, components, functions, and steps from one embodiment with those of another, even if the description does not explicitly state, in a particular instance, that such combinations or substitutions are possible. It is explicitly acknowledged that express recitation of every possible combination and substitution is overly burdensome, especially given that the permissibility of each and every such combination and substitution will be readily recognized by those of ordinary skill in the art.

In many instances entities are described herein as being coupled to other entities. It should be understood that the terms “coupled” and “connected” (or any of their forms) are used interchangeably herein and, in both cases, are generic to the direct coupling of two entities (without any non-negligible (e.g., parasitic intervening entities) and the indirect coupling of two entities (with one or more non-negligible intervening entities). Where entities are shown as being directly coupled together or described as coupled together without description of any intervening entity, it should be understood that those entities can be indirectly coupled together as well unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

While the embodiments are susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific examples thereof have been shown in the drawings and are herein described in detail. It should be understood, however, that these embodiments are not to be limited to the particular form disclosed, but to the contrary, these embodiments are to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit of the disclosure. Furthermore, any features, functions, steps, or elements of the embodiments may be recited in or added to the claims, as well as negative limitations that define the inventive scope of the claims by features, functions, steps, or elements that are not within that scope.

An equivalent substitution of two or more elements can be made for any one of the elements in the claims below or that a single element can be substituted for two or more elements in a claim. Although elements can be described above as acting in certain combinations and even initially claimed as such, it is to be expressly understood that one or more elements from a claimed combination can in some cases be excised from the combination and that the claimed combination can be directed to a subcombination or variation of a subcombination.

It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the present embodiment is not limited to what has been particularly shown and described herein. A variety of modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teachings without departing from the following claims.

Claims

1. A sea chest maintenance access trunk, comprising: a watertight closure is selectively opened or closed and is positioned above the waterline to prevent fluid from entering the vessel when in an open configuration. It also permits diver or ROV access to the sea chest when in an open configuration.

a sea chest positioned within a vessel;

an access trunk in fluid communication with the sea chest;

2. The sea chest maintenance access trunk of claim 1, wherein watertight closure is configured as a door.

3. The sea chest maintenance access trunk of claim 1, wherein watertight closure is configured as an access plate.

4. The sea chest maintenance access trunk of claim 2, wherein the watertight closure permits the selective opening and closing of the door for use by a diver.

5. The sea chest maintenance access trunk of claim 1, wherein the watertight closure permits the selective opening and closing of the door for use by an ROV.

6. The sea chest maintenance access trunk of claim 1, wherein the watertight closure permits the utilization of an umbilical for the diver or the ROV.

7. The sea chest maintenance access trunk of claim 1, wherein the umbilical is utilized to provide services to the diver or the ROV.

8. The sea chest maintenance access trunk of claim 1, wherein the sea chest maintenance access trunk facilitates cleaning, pipe plugging, repair of flushing and blowing arrangements, and renewal of anodes.

9. The sea chest maintenance access trunk of claim 1, by using the sea chest maintenance access trunk to gain access to the inside of the sea chest for maintenance activities it allows for physical protection of the diver or the ROV.

10. The sea chest maintenance access trunk of claim 1, by using the sea chest maintenance access trunk to gain access to the inside of the sea chest for maintenance activities it allows for protection of the diver or the ROV from currents.

11. A sea chest maintenance access trunk, comprising:

one or more sea chests positioned within a vessel;

an access trunk associated with each of the one or more sea chests, the access trunk in fluid communication with the sea chest;

12. a watertight closure is selectively opened or closed and is positioned above the waterline to prevent fluid from entering the vessel when in an open configuration. It also permits diver or ROV access to the sea chest when in an open configuration. The sea chest maintenance access trunk of claim 11, wherein watertight closure is configured as a door.

13. The sea chest maintenance access trunk of claim 12, wherein watertight closure is configured as an access plate.

14. The sea chest maintenance access trunk of claim 13, wherein the watertight closure permits the selective opening and closing of the door for use by a diver.

15. The sea chest maintenance access trunk of claim 14, wherein the watertight closure permits the selective opening and closing of the door for use by an ROV.

16. The sea chest maintenance access trunk of claim 15, wherein the watertight closure permits the utilization of an umbilical for the diver or the ROV.

17. The sea chest maintenance access trunk of claim 16, wherein the umbilical is utilized to provide services to the diver or the ROV.

18. The sea chest maintenance access trunk of claim 17, wherein the watertight closure permits the selective opening and closing of the door for use by a diver.