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WO2019008325A1 - Secteur de mise à l'eau - Google Patents

Secteur de mise à l'eau Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2019008325A1
WO2019008325A1 PCT/GB2018/051746 GB2018051746W WO2019008325A1 WO 2019008325 A1 WO2019008325 A1 WO 2019008325A1 GB 2018051746 W GB2018051746 W GB 2018051746W WO 2019008325 A1 WO2019008325 A1 WO 2019008325A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
restraint
elongate
guide path
overboarding quadrant
flexible elongate
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Ceased
Application number
PCT/GB2018/051746
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Colin John SIMS
Alan Andrew MACKIE
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Maats Tech Ltd
Original Assignee
Maats Tech Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Maats Tech Ltd filed Critical Maats Tech Ltd
Publication of WO2019008325A1 publication Critical patent/WO2019008325A1/fr
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Ceased legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16L—PIPES; JOINTS OR FITTINGS FOR PIPES; SUPPORTS FOR PIPES, CABLES OR PROTECTIVE TUBING; MEANS FOR THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16L1/00—Laying or reclaiming pipes; Repairing or joining pipes on or under water
    • F16L1/26—Repairing or joining pipes on or under water
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16L—PIPES; JOINTS OR FITTINGS FOR PIPES; SUPPORTS FOR PIPES, CABLES OR PROTECTIVE TUBING; MEANS FOR THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16L1/00—Laying or reclaiming pipes; Repairing or joining pipes on or under water
    • F16L1/12—Laying or reclaiming pipes on or under water
    • F16L1/20—Accessories therefor, e.g. floats or weights
    • F16L1/202—Accessories therefor, e.g. floats or weights fixed on or to vessels
    • F16L1/207—Pipe handling apparatus
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B63—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; RELATED EQUIPMENT
    • B63B—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; EQUIPMENT FOR SHIPPING 
    • B63B35/00—Vessels or similar floating structures specially adapted for specific purposes and not otherwise provided for
    • B63B35/03—Pipe-laying vessels
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B63—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; RELATED EQUIPMENT
    • B63B—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; EQUIPMENT FOR SHIPPING 
    • B63B35/00—Vessels or similar floating structures specially adapted for specific purposes and not otherwise provided for
    • B63B35/04—Cable-laying vessels
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16L—PIPES; JOINTS OR FITTINGS FOR PIPES; SUPPORTS FOR PIPES, CABLES OR PROTECTIVE TUBING; MEANS FOR THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16L1/00—Laying or reclaiming pipes; Repairing or joining pipes on or under water
    • F16L1/12—Laying or reclaiming pipes on or under water
    • F16L1/20—Accessories therefor, e.g. floats or weights
    • F16L1/235—Apparatus for controlling the pipe during laying
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H02—GENERATION; CONVERSION OR DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRIC POWER
    • H02G—INSTALLATION OF ELECTRIC CABLES OR LINES, OR OF COMBINED OPTICAL AND ELECTRIC CABLES OR LINES
    • H02G1/00—Methods or apparatus specially adapted for installing, maintaining, repairing or dismantling electric cables or lines
    • H02G1/06—Methods or apparatus specially adapted for installing, maintaining, repairing or dismantling electric cables or lines for laying cables, e.g. laying apparatus on vehicle
    • H02G1/10—Methods or apparatus specially adapted for installing, maintaining, repairing or dismantling electric cables or lines for laying cables, e.g. laying apparatus on vehicle in or under water

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to an overboarding quadrant with a control release mechanism which is able to remotely release a flexible elongate submersible element positioned upon the overboarding quadrant.
  • the invention further relates to a system comprising an overboarding quadrant and a remote controller, a method of remotely releasing a flexible elongate submersible element, and to a method for resetting and reusing an overboarding quadrant.
  • Flexible elongate submersible elements such as cables or flexible pipelines
  • cables or flexible pipelines are used in many underwater environments in order to provide a connection between two structures, at least one of which is usually not on land.
  • submersible cables may be commonly used to connect offshore wind turbines to each other, a further offshore structure or the land. They may similarly be used for offshore oil and gas rigs.
  • Submersible cables and pipelines can also be used to connect land based locations that are separated by water.
  • Damage may occur to these flexible elongate submersible elements once positioned in their desired location, for example through anchor impact, and so repairs may need to be carried out. These repairs may take the form of cutting the existing damaged cable whilst under the water and then bringing onto a port or starboard side of the stem of a cable repair vessel the cut end of the damaged length of cable. The damaged section of cable is removed. The remaining cable is joined to a new length of cable . The extended cable is then passed along cable support elements on one side of a portion of the length of the vessel before the cable is curved back on itself such that the cut end of the cable is facing the direction of the stem of the vessel.
  • a cable overboarding quadrant typically a semi-circular shaped frame with a radius greater than a minimum bend radius of the cable, is typically used to guide the cable as it is curved. This guiding takes the form of running the cable around an outer surface of the quadrant which prevents or limits the cable from having a bend radius less than the minimum allowable bend radius of the cable. Damage to the cable is therefore prevented or limited. The cable is then connected to the other end of the previously damaged cable, the previously damaged cable having had the damaged section removed.
  • FIG. 1 to 4 there is shown a process, in accordance with the state of the art, of returning a cable 10 to the water 12 from a cable repair vessel 14.
  • the cable 10 is attached to the cable overboarding quadrant 16, typically with the use of restraints, straps or ties in order to ensure that the cable is not unintentionally removed from the overboarding quadrant.
  • the cable overboarding quadrant 16 is then typically winched up the deck and hoisted upwards, before then being moved to the edge of the stem 18 of the vessel along runners.
  • a crane 20 then lifts and pivots upwards the quadrant 16, such that the cable 10 sits on top of at least part of the cable overboarding quadrant 16.
  • the cable overboarding quadrant 16, with the cable 10 still atop, is then lowered by the crane 20 into the water and then following that to the bed, sea floor or ground 22 beneath the water.
  • the cable 10 is then required to be removed from the overboarding quadrant 16 which involves the cutting of any restraints, straps or ties. This cutting typically occurs through the use of a remotely operated vehicle 24 which is manoeuvred by a skilled operator to a position whereby the restraints can be cut. This is typically a time consuming and costly procedure.
  • the restraint control mechanism may comprise at least one elongate member which is radially aligned with the arcuate guide path, directly or indirectly attachable to the restraint and is movably attachable to the support.
  • the elongate members provide a means to interconnect a free end of the restraint to a or any point on the support.
  • the restraint control mechanism may further comprise at least one movable holding element which interconnects the or each restraint to the or each elongate member.
  • a movable holding element enables the or each restraint to be indirectly connected and releasably engaged with the or each elongate member.
  • the or each movable holding element may be spring biased to an unsecured condition, in which the restraint is in a release condition.
  • Spring biasing ensures that the movable holding element is able to release the restraint in the event that a force, such as a local underwater current, is biasing the movable holding element in the other direction and away from an unsecured condition.
  • the restraint control mechanism may include a remotely operable shackle.
  • a remotely operable shackle may allow for the elongate member, and thus indirectly one end of the restraint, to be releasably attachable to the support via remote operation.
  • the restraint control mechanism may include a remotely operable rotatable element.
  • a release element that requires rotation to be set in a captive condition and to change to a release condition may allow for ease of setting in use, due to being able to be set by the use of a rotatable tool such as a tommy bar.
  • the arcuate guide path may be semi-circular.
  • a semi-circular guide path provides the maximum possible bend radius at any given point on the flexible elongate submersible element, which reduces the likelihood of damage to the cable in the shortest distance, with the minimum diameter of the quadrant, saving space on the deck of the vessel.
  • the or each restraint is preferably tensionable. In the event that the restraint in an extended, tensioned state when in a captive condition, the restraint would be biased to return to the relaxed state and thus the release condition. This provides similar advantages to the spring biasing, and thus ensures that the restraint can be released, even in the event that a force, such as a local current, is biasing the movable holding element in the other direction and away from an unsecured condition.
  • a method of resetting the overboarding quadrant comprising the steps: a] releasing the flexible elongate submersible element according to the method of the third aspect of the present invention; b] positioning a further flexible elongate submersible element around the arcuate guide path; c] moving the or each restraint to a captive condition by attaching the or each restraint to the movable holding element so as to secure the flexible elongate submersible element to the arcuate guide path; and d] movably fixing the or each elongate member to the support.
  • the steps of the method of resetting the overboarding quadrant is performed in the order a, b, c, d or a, b, d, c.
  • an overboarding device comprising: a support for lifting and lowering a flexible elongate submersible element; the support defining an arcuate guide path for guiding the flexible elongate submersible element; at least one restraint which is positionable at or adjacent to the arcuate guide path for holding the flexible elongate submersible element captive on the arcuate guide path; and a restraint control mechanism on the support which is remotely operable, the restraint control mechanism being arranged to enable movement of the or each restraint between a captive condition in which the flexible elongate submersible element is restrained to the arcuate guide path by the or each restraint, and a release condition in which the flexible elongate submersible element is not restrained to the arcuate guide path by the or each restraint.
  • Figure 1 shows apian schematic of a vessel having an overboarding quadrant, in accordance with the state of the art
  • Figure 2 shows a perspective presentation of the overboarding quadrant on a deck of a vessel, again in accordance with the state of the art
  • Figure 3 shows a perspective representation of the overboarding quadrant of Figure 2 being lifted from a deck of a vessel
  • Figure 5 shows a front representation of a first embodiment of an overboarding quadrant, in accordance with the first aspect of the present invention with an in use cable shown in dotted line;
  • Figure 6 is an isometric representation of the overboarding quadrant of Figure 5;
  • Figure 7 shows an enlarged radial cross-section in the direction of axis X shown in Figures 5 and 6 of the overboarding quadrant of Figure 5, with a cable, pipeline or other flexible elongate submersible element thereon by way of example, showing in detail a movable holding element in a captive condition;
  • Figure 8 shows an enlargement of circle A of Figure 5
  • Figure 9 shows an enlarged portion, similar to that of Figure 8, of a second embodiment of an overboarding quadrant, in accordance with the first aspect of the present invention.
  • an overboarding quadrant 116 for use in inspecting, repairing and/or maintaining and then overboarding a cable, pipeline or other flexible elongate, typically submersible, element 110.
  • the overboarding quadrant 116 preferably has a semi-circular support, in this case being aframe 126, the curved exterior perimeter ofwliich defines an arcuate guide path 128.
  • the overboarding quadrant may preferably have a semi-circular frame
  • other circular or non-circular shaped supports may be considered, and these may be a framework or solid elements such as plates.
  • the frame or support may be multi-faceted, and thus considered polygonal rather than part-circular.
  • the frame or other suitable support may be arcuate, such as part-oval, part-elliptic, or part-parabolic, whilst not having a uniform or substantially uniform radius across its circumference or perimeter working face.
  • Spaced equiangularly and radially projecting from the hub 132 are, in this embodiment, seven guide supports 134, of which two form the elongate base portion 130.
  • An axially-extending guide element 136 which may also be referred to as a lateral guide element, forms part of the arcuate guide path 128 and preferably extends in an arc from one end of the elongate base portion 130 to the other.
  • the axially-extending guide element however, may not fully extend between each end of the elongate base portion.
  • the axially-extending guide element 136 comprises an axial guide surface 138, which is supported by the plurality of guide supports 134.
  • the axial guide surface 138 may preferably be a semi-circle although other arcuate shapes may be used, as explained above with reference to the frame 126.
  • the frame 126 further comprises a plurality of support engagement members 140, each support engagement member 140 being supported between adjacent guide supports 134. Each support engagement member 140 is radially spaced from the hub 132 to lie between the hub and the axial guide surface 138 as well as being adjacent to the axial guide surface 138.
  • the frame 126 here comprises a radially-extending guide element 142 which is fixed or integral with an axial edge of the axial guide surface 138, the radially-extending guide element 142 in this case taking the form of a radial guide arch 144 which matches or substantially matches the curvature and extent of the axial guide surface 138.
  • the radially- extending guide element 142 may further comprise a plurality of radial supports 146 which interengage the axial guide surface 136 and the radial guide arch 144, and a plurality of guide-rotatable elements 148 which extend between or substantially between the axial guide surface 138 and the radial guide arch 144.
  • the radial guide arch 144 may preferably be semi-circular with a radius which is greater than that of the axial guide surface 138 to which the radial guide arch 144 is affixed.
  • the guide-rotatable elements 148 have an axis of rotation which is parallel with a radial direction of radially-extending guide element 142. The guide-rotatable elements 148 reduce the frictional engagement between an in use flexible elongate element 110 and the radially-extending guide element 142.
  • the restraints 150 are preferably attached at or adjacent to an axial edge 152, or a portion of the axial edge 152 which is radially proximal to the hub, of the axially- extending guide element 136 which is opposite to an axial edge 152 to which the radial guide arch 144 is fixed.
  • the restraints 150 may be equiangularly arranged around the axially-extending guide element 136 and/or may be arranged symmetrically or asymmetrically with respect to a radially central line of the overboarding quadrant.
  • At or adjacent to a free end of each restraint 150 there may be an integrally formed loop 154, hook, ring, aperture or any other attachment or fastening means.
  • the restraint 150 here has a length at least equal to a width of the axial guide surface 138. However, the length of the restraint may be less than the width of the axial guide surface in an instance where there is at least one aperture in the axial guide surface providing a route therethrough. Preferably, the restraint 150 is sized so as to overhang the axial guide surface 138 so as to be engageable with the radially proximal most support engagement member 140 of the support.
  • restraints 150 Although six restraints 150 are described, it is appreciated that fewer than six restraints 150 may be provided, including only a single restraint 150, or more than six may be utilised as necessity dictates. It is also appreciated that the restraints 150 may be attached to any point on the frame 126, such as to a guide support 134, or may in fact be attached to the radially-extending guide element 142 creating a circumferential restraining array.
  • Each movable holding element 158 is here pivotably attached to the support or frame 126, and preferably at a support engagement member 140 at a point of the movable holding element 158 which separates the restraint-holding arm 160 and the elongate member attachment arm 162.
  • Each holding element 160, 162 may be radially aligned with its corresponding restraint 150 and the centre of the elongate base portion 130 and is preferably pivotable in a or a substantially radial direction.
  • the movable holding element 158 may include a spring element so as to be spring biased. In a relaxed, released or neutral state therefore, a free end of the restraint-holding arm 160 is preferably, at least in part, spring-biased directed towards the associated restraint 150 and the arcuate guide path 128. This position, orientation or range of positons or orientations of the movable holding element 158 may be referred to as an unsecured condition or state.
  • the restraint control mechanism 156 may additionally comprise an elongate member 164 which is attached at a first end 166 to the restraint-holding arm 160 of the movable holding element 158.
  • the elongate member 164 is preferably extendable and therefore may be tensionable.
  • the elongate member 164 may preferably be of such a length that a second end 168 (see Figure 5) cannot extend to the centre of the elongate base portion 130 in a relaxed state. However, in an extended, tensioned state, the second end 168 may extend to the centre of the elongate base portion 130.
  • the elongate member may be of such a length that the second end can extend to the centre of the elongate base portion in an untensioned state.
  • the elongate member may extend to the elongate base portion via an indirect route, such as by using sheaves or fairleads, and therefore the required length of the elongate member may be influenced via this route.
  • the elongate member may be a wire, cable, rope, strap, rigid bar or any other tether that may or may not be extendable.
  • the restraint control mechanism 156 may also comprise an anchor element 170 and a, preferably remotely and manually openable and operable coupling, which is here a shackle 172.
  • the shackle 172 is fixed at or adjacent to an edge portion 130a of the elongate base portion 130 which is radially distal from the arcuate guide path 128 and at or adjacent to or forming part of the hub 132.
  • the anchor element 170 may be attached to the shackle 172 and thus, given that the shackle 172 is remotely opened, the anchor element 170 may be remotely releasable from the shackle 172 and thus be detached from the frame 126.
  • the anchor element 170 is preferably substantially ring shaped, however it is appreciated that it may in fact be any other curvate or linear shape.
  • Each elongate member 164 is also attached to the anchor element 170, preferably via a fastener 174 at the second end 168 of the elongate member 164.
  • the fastener may take the form of a hook, ring, latch, shackle, be formed integrally as part of the elongate member or be any other permanent or temporary fastening means.
  • an attachment structure 176 is provided on the overboarding quadrant 116.
  • the attachment structure 176 may preferably be fixed to the overboarding quadrant 116. However, alternatively, the attachment structure may be releasable from the overboarding quadrant and thus be usable for other overboarding quadrants or other similarly sized structures.
  • the attachment structure 176 preferably has two parallel hoisting supports 178 which are set back in an axial direction from the elongate base portion 130 and are positioned either side of a centre of the elongate base portion 130. The provision of two hoisting supports 178 provides the advantage of preventing or limiting the rotation of the overboarding quadrant 116 during lifting as compared to a single hoisting support.
  • the hoisting supports 178 may project perpendicularly to the elongate base portion 130 and parallel to a guide support 134 which may engage an apex of the hub 132 and an apex of the axially-extending guide element 136, axial guide surface 138 and/or a central radial guide support 134. Further hoisting support stmts 180a interengage the proximal most guide supports 134 and the hoisting supports 178.
  • the hoisting supports 178 extend beyond the radial extent of the axial guide surface 138, where the hoisting supports 178 then extend angularly in a direction towards the overboarding quadrant 116.
  • a stmt 180b which is perpendicular to the hoisting supports 178 interengages the ends of the two hoisting supports 178 distal to the elongate base portion 130.
  • the attachment portion 182 may take the form of an aperture, hook or rod which is for the attachment to a crane.
  • the attachment portions are described as being preferably positioned at or adjacent to the attachment structure, the attachment portions may in fact be positioned directly onto the frame 126.
  • the overboarding quadrant 116 is positioned on a vessel, preferably on a stem deck of the vessel.
  • the overboarding quadrant 116 is initially positioned such that a radial plane of the frame 126 is substantially parallel to a plane of the deck of the vessel and preferably an apex of the axial guide surface 138 is distal to the stem of the vessel.
  • the overboarding quadrant 116 is also positioned away from an edge of the stem. Similar positioning of an overboarding quadrant in accordance with the prior art is shown in Figure 1 and Figure 2. Whilst the overboarding quadrant is described as being in use positioned relative to the stem of the vessel, it is appreciated that the overboarding quadrant may in fact be similarly positioned relative to the side or bow of the vessel. Alternatively, the overboarding quadrant may be positioned on a structure that is at an angle to the deck of the vessel.
  • An end of an in use flexible elongate element 110 is brought up from the water and onto the stem deck where it is guided around the axial guide surface 138 and rests on the radially-extending guide element 142.
  • the remainder of the flexible elongate element 110 extends from the stem deck into the water.
  • the in use flexible elongate submersible element may engage the plurality of guide-rotatable elements 148 which can rotate and thereby reduce the frictional engagement between the in use flexible elongate element 110 and the radially-extending guide element 142.
  • the end of the initial flexible elongate element 110 is then typically attached to the end of a further flexible elongate submersible element which extends to the stem and then into the water.
  • the completed in use flexible elongate submersible element 110 may then be restrained, tied, or strapped to the arcuate guide path 128 of the overboarding quadrant 116.
  • the shackle 172 is first, preferably manually, opened and the anchor element 170 is inserted into the shackle 172 such that, when the shackle 172 is subsequently closed, the anchor element 170 and the shackle 172 engage, interengage or interconnect.
  • each elongate member 164 may therefore be required to be tensioned into an extended or tensioned state .
  • Each elongate member 164 is thus able to extend to the centre of the elongate base portion 130.
  • the secured condition may in fact still be achieved even if the free end of the restraint-holding arm is aligned with an angle which is between an axial direction X and a radial direction.
  • the restraints 150 are positioned, whilst attached to the axial edge 152 of the axially-extending guide element 136, over the flexible elongate element and are attached to the restraint-holding arm 160 of the movable holding element 158.
  • This attachment preferably takes the form of positioning the loop 154 at the free end of the restraint 150 over the free end of the restraint-holding arm 184 such that the restraint-holding arm 160 extends through and engages the loop 154.
  • the restraint-holding arm 160 is at least in part directed away from the restraint 150, the restraint 150 can be secured against the restraint-holding arm 160.
  • the restraint 150 is in a captive condition and the flexible elongate cable is restrained to the arcuate guide path 128 of the overboarding quadrant 116, and is prevented from moving in a transverse, lateral or axial direction.
  • the flexible elongate submersible element is described as being restrained to the arcuate guide path by movably fixing each elongate member to the frame first and then attaching the restraint to the movable holding element after this, it is appreciated that these two steps may occur in a reverse order.
  • the overboarding quadrant 116 with the in use flexible elongate submersible element 110 restrained to the arcuate guide path 128, is then typically moved on runners or winched and hoisted towards a stem edge of the vessel.
  • a hook or other engagement means of a crane, winch or hoist then engages the attachment portions 166.
  • the lifting device guides the overboarding quadrant 116 over the stem edge of the vessel.
  • the overboarding quadrant 116 with the flexible elongate element 110 still restrained to the axial guide surface 138 by means of the restraints 150, is lowered into the water and is then lowered to or near to the sea floor or ground beneath the water.
  • the restraints 150 are then to be moved to a release condition so as to allow the flexible submersible elongate element 110 to be unsecured from the arcuate guide path 128 and entirely removed from the overboarding quadrant 116.
  • the restraint control mechanism 156 is remotely operated, which here is initiated by the, preferably remote, opening of the shackle 172.
  • the remote opening may take the form of directing an acoustic signal, within a predetermined frequency range, from the in use vessel and towards the overboarding quadrant.
  • the shackle 172 When the acoustic signal is received by a sensor on the acoustic release shackle 172, the shackle 172 is caused to open either through pneumatic means or hydraulic means. Hydrostatic operating means, remotely operated vehicle operating means or operation by a guide line to the surface by also be considered for the operation of the shackle.
  • each restraint 150 may be biased to return to a relaxed state and thus may assist each movable holding element 158 in pivoting to the unsecured condition.
  • the restraints 150 may be detached from the restraint-holding arm 160 with the loop 154 of the restraint 150 disengaging therefrom.
  • the flexible elongate submersible element is no longer secured, tied, strapped or restrained to the arcuate guide path 128 or axial guide surface 138.
  • the overboarding quadrant 116 is next rotated through manipulation by the crane such that the flexible elongate element 110 falls from arcuate guide path 128 to the ground beneath the water.
  • the overboarding quadrant 116 without the flexible elongate element 110, is subsequently raised upwards through the water and positioned onto the vessel.
  • the overboarding quadrant 116 can then be reused and reset in the same way as described above, due to the fact that no feature is broken or lost in the securing or release of the flexible elongate submersible element 110.
  • a second embodiment of an overboarding quadrant 216 may utilise a rotatable element 270 and a shackle 272 to secure and release the elongate members 264, instead of an anchor element 170 and shackle 172, as in the first embodiment.
  • Elements which are similar or identical to those of the preceding embodiment are denoted by the same or similar reference number with one hundred added, and further detailed description is omitted.
  • the rotatable element 270 may take the form of a rotatable plate and may be rotatably attached at or adjacent to an edge portion 230a of the elongate base portion 230 which is radially distal from the arcuate guide path and in this case, at or adjacent to or forming part of the hub 232.
  • the detents 286 may preferably be equi-distantly spaced around half or substantially half of the circumference of the rotatable element 270.
  • the detents 286 may be substantially slot shaped apertures with an undercut to provide a hook- shaped formation.
  • the undercuts extend in an anticlockwise circumferential direction. In this way, each detent 286 may be substantially 'L-shaped'.
  • the comers of each detent 286 may be substantially curvate, arcuate or smoothed to facilitate release of each elongate member 264.
  • the fastener 274 fixed to the end of each elongate member 264 which attaches to the rotatable element 270 may be a hook or catch.
  • rotatable element 270 is described as being substantially in the shape of a circle, it is appreciated that it may in fact be non-circular, including other curved, polygonal or linear shapes.
  • a connecting shaft 288 is attached to the rotatable element 270, and preferably attached at or adjacent to a recessed portion of the rotatable plate 270.
  • the connecting shaft 288 may be rotatably attached such that it is able to rotate in a radial plane of or parallel to that of the overboarding quadrant 216.
  • Fixed to the other end of the connecting shaft 288 is one end of a return spring 290 which is attached at the other end to a cylinder 292.
  • the spring 290 is extended into an active state by the movement of the connecting shaft 288 in a clockwise direction, whereby the shaft 288 is extended from the cylinder 292.
  • the cylinder 292 may be rotatably attached to the elongate base portion 230, such that it is similarly able to rotate in a radial plane of the overboarding quadrant 216 to accommodate rotation of the plate 270.
  • A preferably remotely releasable coupling, which here may be or include a further shackle 272, may be positioned at or adjacent to the elongate base portion 230 such that it is able to releasably hold the rotatable element 270 in a tensioned or engaged condition to the elongate base portion 230.
  • the rotatable element 270 may have an engagement element 294, such as a socket or aperture, positioned on an accessible axial face of the rotatable plate 270 to receive a tommy bar or Allen key.
  • the engagement element 294 may be a nut or bolt head similarly positioned to be received by a spanner.
  • the rotatable element 270 In use, to releasably attach each elongate member 264 to the rotatable element 270, the rotatable element 270 is first rotated. The rotation can be caused by engaging a tool, such as a tommy bar, Allen key or spanner, with the engagement element 294 and then rotating the tool. The rotatable element 270 preferably rotates so as to cause the connecting shaft 288 to move in a direction away from the longitudinal extent of the cylinder 292, extending the spring 290 into an active condition such that it is biased to return to a relaxed, neutral condition. The direction of the rotation is preferably in an opposite direction to the circumferential extent of the detent 286.
  • a tool such as a tommy bar, Allen key or spanner
  • a release element is then engaged with the shackle 272 to hold the rotatable element 270 in place with the spring 290 still drawn into the active condition.
  • the fastener 274 at the end of each elongate member 264 is then inserted or hooked into each detent 286, first along the part of the detent 286 parallel with the radial extent of the rotatable element 270, and then into the part of the detent 286 parallel with the circumferential extent of the rotatable element 270. In this way, each of the elongate member 264 is attached to the rotatable element 270 and is in a first condition.
  • the release element attached to the shackle 272 such as a rope, chain or other elongate flexible element, may be remotely operated so as to release the rotatable element 270.
  • the remote operation may occur by any of the methods previously described.
  • the spring 290 which was extended and in an active condition, is caused to return to the relaxed, neutral condition. This results in the connecting shaft 288, by nature of being attached to the spring 290, to be moved in a direction towards the cylinder 292.
  • the shackle itself or associated mechanism may be remotely openable, such as by acoustic means, via a remotely operated vehicle engageable handle which is operatively connected to the rotatable element or via any other release method previously described, to release the rotatable element.
  • a third embodiment of an overboarding quadrant is shown in Figure 10, and may utilise a fixed anchor element 370 with each of the elongate members 364 being individually releasably attachable to the fixed anchor element 370.
  • Elements which are similar or identical to those of the preceding embodiments are denoted by the same or similar references with one hundred added compared to the second embodiment.
  • the anchor element 370 may be fixed at or adjacent to an edge portion 330a of the elongate base portion 330 which is radially distal from the arcuate guide path.
  • the anchor element 370 is preferably in the shape of semi-circle. However, other arcuate, curved or linear shapes may be considered.
  • the fastener at the end of each elongate member 364 is preferably a remotely operable and openable coupling, which here is yet a further shackle 372.
  • Each shackle 372 is individually attachable to the fixed anchor element 370 and may be individually remotely and manually operable. The remote operation may take the form of an acoustic release and the shackle 372 may be openable by any of the methods previously described.
  • Each elongate member 364 is thus positionable in a first condition.
  • each shackle 372 may be remotely opened. Each shackle 372 may be opened individually, so as to allow the option of a staged or sequential release, or the shackles 372 may be arranged so as to be opened simultaneously. Having been released, each elongate member 364 is thus able to move to the second condition and the flexible elongate submersible element 110 is releasable as previously described.
  • the anchor element may be radially slidably received on the frame.
  • the anchor element may be slid to a first position radially distal from the arcuate guide surface to extend and tension the elongate members into a first condition.
  • the anchor element may then be locked into this position through the use of a remotely operable and openable shackle.
  • the anchor element When the shackle is remotely opened, the anchor element may slide towards the arcuate guide surface and thus allow the elongate members to move to a second condition, allowing for the flexible elongate submersible element to be releasable.
  • the elongate members are described as being attachable to and releasable from a point at a centre of the elongate base element, it is appreciated that the elongate members may be releasably attachable to other positions on the frame. For instance, each elongate member may be releasably attachable to an individual position proximal to the associated restraint, or the plurality of elongate members may be attachable to a centre of the overboarding quadrant.
  • the elongate members are described as being radially aligned with the arcuate guide path, however it is appreciated that there may in fact be only a single circumferential elongate member which is aligned with a circumferential extent of the arcuate guide path.
  • the circumferential elongate member may be extended or tensioned so as to be able to extend around the circumferential extent of the arcuate guide path.
  • Each restraint may be attached to this circumferentially aligned elongate member via a hook or loop so as to secure the flexible elongate submersible element to the guide path.
  • a remotely releasable shackle may hold the circumferential elongate member in this extended or tensioned position or state. When the shackle is operated so as to release the elongate member, the elongate member may revert to an unextended or relaxed state and in this may release any and all restraints.
  • the overboarding quadrant is described as comprising elongate members, it is appreciated that the elongate members may not be necessary and that the restraints may be attached at one end to the support and at another to a shackle or other remotely operable releasable fastener. In this way, the flexible elongate submersible element may still be releasable from the arcuate guide path.
  • the overboarding quadrant is described as having a remotely releasable shackle positioned so as to interconnect the elongate member and the frame, however, it is appreciated that the remotely releasable shackle may in fact be positioned at other points within the restraint control mechanism.
  • a releasable shackle may be positioned so as to interconnect each elongate member and each movable holding element.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
  • Ocean & Marine Engineering (AREA)
  • Laying Of Electric Cables Or Lines Outside (AREA)
  • Emergency Lowering Means (AREA)

Abstract

L'invention concerne un secteur de mise à l'eau (116) qui permet de libérer sous l'eau et à distance un élément submersible, allongé et flexible (110), positionné sur ledit secteur. Le secteur de mise à l'eau (116) comprend un support (126) qui permet de soulever et d'abaisser un élément submersible, allongé et flexible (110), au moins un élément de retenue (150) qui permet de retenir l'élément submersible, allongé et flexible (110), et un mécanisme de commande de retenue (156) qui est actionnable à distance. Le mécanisme de commande de retenue (156) est conçu pour déplacer le dispositif de retenue (150) entre un état retenu et un état de libération. L'invention concerne également un système comprenant un secteur de mise à l'eau (116) et un dispositif de commande à distance. L'invention concerne également un procédé de libération d'un élément submersible, allongé et flexible (110) , par un secteur de mise à l'eau (116). L'invention concerne également un procédé de recalage d'un secteur de mise à l'eau (116).
PCT/GB2018/051746 2017-07-04 2018-06-22 Secteur de mise à l'eau Ceased WO2019008325A1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB1710744.2A GB2564131A (en) 2017-07-04 2017-07-04 Overboarding quadrant
GB1710744.2 2017-07-04

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2019008325A1 true WO2019008325A1 (fr) 2019-01-10

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PCT/GB2018/051746 Ceased WO2019008325A1 (fr) 2017-07-04 2018-06-22 Secteur de mise à l'eau

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GB (1) GB2564131A (fr)
WO (1) WO2019008325A1 (fr)

Families Citing this family (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
NL2022670B1 (en) * 2019-03-01 2020-09-15 Itrec Bv Device and method for offshore cable laying
NO20231252A1 (en) * 2023-11-17 2025-05-19 Nexans Cable handling bow for an overboarding system of a work platform

Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3431739A (en) * 1966-09-28 1969-03-11 Shell Oil Co Method for laying underwater pipeline
WO2009098586A2 (fr) * 2008-02-08 2009-08-13 Saipem S.P.A. Dispositif de guidage servant à soutenir une conduite sous-marine, rampe de pose comprenant un tel dispositif de guidage, navire de pose équipé d'une telle rampe de pose, et procédé de commande d'une rampe de pose de conduite sous-marine
US20140133919A1 (en) * 2012-11-14 2014-05-15 J. Ray Mcdermott, S.A. Offshore Cable Laying Method

Family Cites Families (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3524325A (en) * 1968-05-17 1970-08-18 North American Rockwell Method for connecting pipe between two underwater complexes
US3835656A (en) * 1972-09-01 1974-09-17 Shell Oil Co Method and apparatus for supplying temporary buoyancy to an underwater pipeline

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3431739A (en) * 1966-09-28 1969-03-11 Shell Oil Co Method for laying underwater pipeline
WO2009098586A2 (fr) * 2008-02-08 2009-08-13 Saipem S.P.A. Dispositif de guidage servant à soutenir une conduite sous-marine, rampe de pose comprenant un tel dispositif de guidage, navire de pose équipé d'une telle rampe de pose, et procédé de commande d'une rampe de pose de conduite sous-marine
US20140133919A1 (en) * 2012-11-14 2014-05-15 J. Ray Mcdermott, S.A. Offshore Cable Laying Method

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB2564131A (en) 2019-01-09
GB201710744D0 (en) 2017-08-16

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