Lars system
The mechanical setup to maneuver the diving bell and the clump weight.
BELL HANDLING SYSTEM
The handling system is a hydraulically activated mechanical setup designed to independently maneuver the diving bell and the clump weight. Both components are fully controlled by the handling control system, comprising a console and PLC panel, which oversees the synchronized operation of the system and manages the power pack. This provides hydraulic power to the diving bell’s respective winches and trolley.
Trolley system
The trolley system allows the bell to be moved from the clamped position close to the hyperbaric chamber to the moon pool and vice versa. The trolley is equipped with pliers to release the bell for launching and catch the bell pins during the recovery operation.
The main features are:
Secure trolling thanks to a couple of hydraulic cylinders. The cylinders can fix the trolley in position, avoiding any movement of the bell due to vessel acceleration. Horizontal movement of the trolley from moonpool to mating position and vice versa.
Vertical movement is also available to align the diving bell man hole to the bell mate trunk.
Four legs are foreseen on the edges of the trolley in order to guide the bell smoothly the cursor inside the moonpool rails
Bell Handling Console
The new Bell Handling Console is the control panel for the iLars, the completely renewed Drass Bell Handling System; the Bell Handling Console is built in stainless steel and includes a Siemens 15” touch screen HMI IP65 as the interface with the fail-safe PLCs and remote I/Os network; a second 15” screen is included for CCTV monitoring. Commands are given by means of the redundant, SIL certified joystick. The Bell Handling Console is connected to the LARS Control Panel which is the center of automation related to the handling system.
The Bell Winch
The Bell Winch operates the lowering and lifting of the Diving Bell up to the maximum depth. It is outfitted with a wire rope of 400 meters length and 36mm diameter (non rotating type). It is a single drum winch, hydraulic driven by means of two (2) hydraulic motors
passive heave compensator
The Passive Heave Compensator is installed to maintain the diving bell at its designated diving depth, within a specific range, irrespective of the vertical movement of the support vessel due to wave action. The heave compensator is automatically maintained in a central position with a simple pneumatic arrangement.
Umbelical winch
The umbilical winch is the lifeline for the bell and divers, ensuring the crucial supply of services they need. The Umbilical winch is fitted with a tensioning device that maintains a positive “pull” on the umbilical to prevent excess umbilical being paid out, powered by two mighty hydraulic power packs. The winch features a robust single drum, driven by a chain and sprocket, with a pinion motor and disk brake for precision control. When it comes to deploying and recovering the bell umbilical, recovers the bell umbilical in passive synchronization (constant tension) with the bell lift winches. The umbilical is spooled on the winch via a diamond cut lead screw, driven by the drum shaft on a chain and sprocket arrangement.
Bell cursor
The Diving Bell cursor drives the Bell through the moon pool. Each Cursor consist of a tubular frame which latches to, and encloses the upper part of the bell external frame and guides the same rollers along the vertical guides of the moon-pool.
Drass Clump Weight
The Drass Clump Weight, an essential part of the handling system for the diving bell, safely leads the bell to working depth, stabilizing its descent / ascent, thereby ensuring the safety of the divers. It ensures alignment of the diving bell and the bell cursor during entry/exit of the moon pool and can allow emergency recovery of the diving bell.
