Cable clamping device, cable protection system comprising such a device and tube provided with such a system

Abstract

The invention relates to a cable clamping device (1) intended to be attached to a tube (2) of a tubular column, the device being used in applications in energy production, transportation and storage, and comprising a base (3) extending in a first plane and comprising a first opening (5), and a holder (4) comprising: • a main portion (6) having a central segment (7), the central segment comprising a second opening (5') facing the first opening; • a first tab (8) able to accommodate a cable and comprising a first end forming a first stop surface (9), • a second tab (10) able to accommodate a cable and comprising a second end forming a second stop surface (11), the clamping device further comprising a pressure-applying means (13) that has a third opening (25) facing the first and second openings, and a rod (12) that has an axis of rotation (R) and passes through the first, second and third openings, the pressure-applying means being rigidly attached to the rod.

Description

Title of the invention : Cable clamping device, cable protection system comprising such a device and tube provided with such a system Technical field [1]The invention relates to the field of cable clamping devices. The invention relates, in particular, to devices for fastening cables to tubes in a tubular column for applications in the production, the transport and the storage of energy, in particular in fields such as oil, gas, geothermal energy, hydrogen and or even the capture and storage of carbon. In particular, the invention relates to devices for clamping cables in a production column of an oil well. [2]Moreover, the invention relates to a cable protection system provided with such a clamping device. Finally, the invention also relates to a tube provided with such a protection system Technological background [3]A tubular hydrocarbon column generally consists of a plurality of tubes attached together. More particularly, a tubular hydrocarbon column for a hydrocarbon well or similar well generally comprises a "tubing string" and a plurality of "casing strings". The tubing strings consist of a plurality of "completion tubes" housed inside the casing string. The casing string consists of a plurality of "casing tubes" arranged inside a drilling hole of the well. The casing tubes have a greater diameter cross section than the diameter cross section of the completion tubes and surround said completion tubes. In the lower part of the casing string, the casing tubes are also called "liner tubes". [4]The tubular hydrocarbon columns can be assembled and installed onshore or on so-called "offshore" platforms and they can be used to support cables, such as electric cables, designed to power submersible equipment, such as pumps, safety valves and other equipment at the bottom of the well. [5]During the completion operations, in particular those involving the fastening of electric cables to the tubular columns, the operators move inside a high risk zone, known by the term "red zone". This zone is in the immediate vicinity of the column during assembly and represents particularly hazardous working conditions, taking account of the immediate presence of heavy, moving equipment such as steel tubes, winches, cranes, live cables and any other type of equipment used for the drilling, cementing and positioning of the tubes. Such conditions require sustained attention during the entire operation of fastening the cables, in addition to appropriate safety measures. However, the human factor and the fatigue associated with long working hours can compromise the alertness of the operators, further increasing the level of risk. [6]In order to minimize these inherent risks, it is imperative that the operators follow strict protocols and benefit from adequate training in order to ensure the positioning of the electric cables on the columns of tubes in complete safety. [7]In order to achieve this, the operators use devices denoted by the term "clamps" or "cable protector". These devices generally comprise a first part designed to clamp and align the cables and a second part designed to be fixedly fastened to a tube of the column during assembly, generally on a coupling element which assembles two tubes of the column. [8]In this regard, the prior art describes in the patent EP 3951132: a fastening system designed to fasten a cable to a tube for a tubular column for applications in the field of oil and gas, energy or storage, said fastening system comprising: • a first ring configured to bear against the tube, •    a second ring configured to bear against the tube, •    a central body arranged and blocked in relative displacement along a longitudinal axis between the first ring and the second ring, the fastening system further comprising a cable fastening mechanism having an external housing to fasten the cable, said external housing having an opening to receive the cable in the external housing through said opening, said opening of the external housing being arranged on an external surface of the fastening system, said external surface being turned toward the outside relative to an internal housing of the fastening system, said internal housing being configured to accommodate the tube. Such a system makes it possible to reduce the number of operators and the time required for the installation of the cables in comparison with older systems, and thus to limit the time the operators are present in the risk zone or "red zone". However, a major drawback with such a system is that it can only receive a very limited number of cables. In particular, such a system cannot receive and fasten more than one or two cables. However, with the diversification and increasing complexity of the wells, the requirements of the operators have gradually changed. Thus currently there is an increasing demand on the part of the operators to integrate further sensors and different electronic equipment designed to collect data inside the well, in particular in order to monitor the construction and the operation thereof. By way of example, this can be temperature data, pressure data or data relating to the concentration of hydrogen sulphide. Inside a well, this data is distributed by cables which are installed during the completion of the tubular columns. As a result, the operators need a greater number of cables in order to ensure the distribution and rise of an increasing quantity of information from a larger number of sensors. A device such as that disclosed in the patent EP 3951132 does not enable this demand of the operators to be met. Summary [9]The invention solves the drawbacks and responds to the above-mentioned requirements by proposing a system for clamping and protecting cables, making it possible to fasten and install a greater number of cables while respecting an acceptable installation period for the operators. A first object of the invention is thus to simplify the fastening of the cables to a column of tubes during assembly. Moreover, a second object of the invention is to increase the number of cables able to be housed and fastened in the same clamping device and in the same cable protector.

[10] Thus the invention provides a cable clamping device designed to be attached to a tube of a tubular column for applications in the production, the transport and the storage of energy, the device comprising a base extending in a first plane and comprising a first opening and a mount, comprising: • a principal portion having a central segment, said central segment comprising a second opening opposite the first opening, • a first leg capable of receiving a cable and comprising a first end forming a first abutment surface, • a second leg capable of receiving a cable and comprising a second end forming a second abutment surface, the clamping device also comprising a pressing means having a third opening opposite the first and second openings and a rod having an axis of rotation R and passing through the first, second and third openings, the pressing means being integral with the rod such that, when the rod carries out a rotation about its axis R and at least one cable is placed on the first and second legs, the pressing means simultaneously carries out the same rotation and presses the cable against the first and second abutment surfaces so as to bend the cable.

[11] "So as to bend the cable" is understood to mean that the curvature of each cable is sufficient so that all of the cables are adequately clamped and no cable can accidentally slide from the device under operating or test conditions.

[12] Due to these features, it is possible to clamp more than two cables between the pressing means and the first and second abutment surfaces. More specifically, the curvature generated by the stresses applied by the pressing means and the abutment surfaces makes it possible to hold all of the cables clamped between the pressing means and the abutment surfaces. In the absence of such a curvature, the cables are not directly subjected to the thrust of the pressing means or the abutment surfaces, i.e. the cable or those cables located in the centre of a cable assembly would be too loosely clamped and would end up sliding out of the device under operating conditions.

[13] The cable can be an electric power cable, an electric communication cable, a control line, a hydraulic cable, a fibre optic cable, a chemical injection cable or any other type of cable. According to one embodiment, the first opening, the second opening, the third opening and the fourth opening are positioned such that a projection from a centre of any one of said openings on an axis passing through the first abutment surface and through the second abutment surface is located between said abutment surfaces.

[14] Preferably, a projection from a centre of any one of the first, second, third and fourth openings on an axis passing through the first abutment surface and through the second abutment surface is located between said abutment surfaces and equidistant from the abutment surfaces. Such a configuration makes it possible to obtain the most effective curvature in order to clamp the cables, in particular when there are more than two cables.

[15] By this arrangement of openings, the point of application of the thrust force exerted by the pressing means on a cable is offset relative to the bearing points which the abutment surfaces represent. The application of all of these stresses mechanically induces a curvature of all of the cables, thus enabling them to be held clamped between the pressing means and the abutment surfaces. In the absence of such a curvature, the cables are not directly subjected to the thrust of the pressing means or the abutment surfaces, i.e. those cables located in the centre of the cable assembly would be too loosely clamped and would end up sliding out of the device under operating or test conditions.

[16] According to one embodiment, the clamping device also comprises a retaining means having a fourth opening opposite the first, second and third openings, said retaining means being axially positioned between the central segment and the pressing means, and said retaining means being integral with the pressing means.

[17] With such a configuration, when the rod carries out a rotation about its axis R, the holding means and the pressing means simultaneously carry out the same rotation as the rod. Due to this feature, in addition to being clamped against the abutment surfaces by the pressing means, the cables are also retained in the case of the cables being inadvertently unclamped between the pressing means and the first and second abutment surfaces. This constitutes a double level of safety for holding the cables against the column and does not change the fastening operation in any way.

[18] In the context of the invention the term "opposite", when it is used to denote the positioning of the first, second, third and fourth openings, means that the aforementioned openings are placed directly opposite one another, such that a straight line drawn from the centre of one opening would pass through the centre of the other opening. In other words, the centres of the openings are coaxial and the axis of rotation R of the rod passes through each of the centres.

[19] According to one embodiment, the mount is fastened to the base by welding the first and second legs.

[20] According to one embodiment, each of the first, second, third and fourth openings is a through-hole of circular section.

[21] According to one embodiment, the pressing means is a cam.

[22] According to one embodiment, the retaining means is a tongue.

[23] According to one embodiment, the tongue and / or the rod can be metallic.

[24] According to one embodiment, the clamping device is entirely metallic. In other words, all of the elements which make up the clamping device are metallic.

[25] According to one embodiment, the rod has an upper part configured to be coupled to a drive tool which is designed to drive the rod in rotation about its axis of rotation R so as to pass the pressing means and / or the retaining means from a first angular position to a second angular position and vice versa.

[26] According to one embodiment, the first angular position makes it possible to install a cable on the first and second legs, and the second angular position makes it possible for the pressing means to exert a thrust force on the cable so as to clamp the cable against the first and second abutment surfaces and / or for the retaining means to retain the cable so as to hold it installed on the first and second legs.

[27] According to one embodiment, the first angular position is the so-called "open position" and the second angular position is the so-called "closed position".

[28] Due to the features disclosed above, a single operator can place the cables on the legs of the clamping device and, provided with a simple tool, turn the pressing means and / or the retaining means in a single gesture. The tool in question can be an adjustable wrench or any other tool which is known to a person skilled in the art and which is suitable for this operation. A simple rotation permitting the fastening of the cables, the number of operators and the time required in the "red zone" to install and fasten the cables to a tube are no greater than with the most efficient devices of the prior art. Thus a single operator can fasten further cables, for example three cables, without taking more time than with any other device of the prior art.

[29] According to one embodiment, the retaining means has a length such that in the second angular position said retaining means extends above all or part of the cable so that said cable is retained between, on one hand, the retaining means and, on the other hand, the first and second legs.

[30] According to one embodiment, the clamping device comprises an arm extending from the base via a third end and in a second plane at right-angles to the first plane of the base, said arm having a blocking means which is configured to block a rotational movement of the retaining means about the axis of rotation R of the rod. The arm and the base are thus connected to one another by the third end.

[31] According to one embodiment, the retaining means has an end which is proximal to the fourth opening, said end comprising a lug which is configured to be blocked by the blocking means so as to prevent a return of the retaining means.

[32] Due to these features, the retaining means is held in the second angular position and cannot return to the first angular position without intervention by an operator. This constitutes a third level of safety for holding the cables against the column, without changing anything in the operation for fastening the cables.

[33] According to one embodiment, the arm is configured to permit an operator to release the lug from the blocking means by pushing the arm in a direction which removes the arm from the mount. This is understood to mean that the arm has a resilience which makes it capable of being bent, at least according to an angle of curvature permitting the lug to be removed from the blocking means in order to pass the retaining means from the second angular position to the first angular position. It is noteworthy that according to one embodiment this resilience of the arm can also enable the lug to slide under pressure against the arm during a rotational movement of the retaining means about the axis R of the rod, by the action of an operator, in order to pass the retaining means from the first angular position to the second angular position.

[34] According to one embodiment, the arm has a fourth end which is distal from the base and protruding from the mount.

[35] According to one embodiment, the fourth end extends in a third plane, said third plane being at right-angles both to the first plane and the second plane.

[36] According to one embodiment, the fourth end is placed against the mount and has a projection protruding from the principal portion of the mount.

[37] Such configurations of the fourth end make the arm more accessible to the operator, thus enabling the operator to push more easily on the arm in order to bend it, pushing in the region of the fourth end in order to release the lug when the operator wishes to pass the retaining means from the second angular position to the first angular position.

[38] According to one embodiment, the first leg comprises a first return forming a first housing capable of receiving all or part of at least one cable, and the second leg comprises a second return forming a second housing opposite the first housing (20) and capable of receiving all or part of at least one cable.

[39] The term "opposite", when it is used to denote the positioning of the first and second housings relative to one another, means that the first and second housings are opposite one another such that, when a cable passes through one of the two housings, said cable also passes through the other of the two housings.

[40] Thus the returns and the housings fulfil a function which is similar and complementary to the function of the retaining means, which constitutes a fourth level of safety for holding the cables.

[41] According to one embodiment, the retaining means, the first return and the second return each have a length such that in the second angular position the at least one cable is retained between, on the one hand, the retaining means and the first and second returns which extend above the cables and, on the other hand, the first and second legs on which the cables rest.

[42] According to one embodiment, the first leg and the second leg are of the same length.

[43] According to one embodiment, the first return and the second return are of the same length.

[44] The invention also provides a protection system designed to protect and fasten a cable to a tube of a tubular column for applications in the production, the transport and the storage of energy, said system comprising a cable clamping device according to the invention.

[45] According to one embodiment, the protection system comprises a longitudinal axis A1, a first portion and a second portion each having a substantially cylindrical internal surface and configured to surround at least partially a tube.

[46] According to one embodiment, the first portion and the second portion are assembled to one another by a first assembly means and / or a second assembly means.

[47] According to one embodiment, the first assembly means and / or the second assembly means is a screw-nut system.

[48] According to one embodiment, the first assembly means or the second assembly means is a hinge.

[49] According to one embodiment, the hinge is welded to each of the first and second portions.

[50] According to one embodiment, the first portion and / or the second portion comprises at least one longitudinal groove extending substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis A1, the clamping device being fastened in said longitudinal groove. Thus the clamping device is housed in the longitudinal groove so as to protect it once it is in the well. Due to this feature, once installed in a well, the clamping device is held at a distance from any external element present in the well, thus ensuring that the cables remain well fastened in the clamping device inside the longitudinal groove during the assembly of the tubular column and under the operating conditions of the well.

[51] According to one embodiment, the first portion and / or the second portion comprises two longitudinal grooves.

[52] According to one embodiment, the clamping device is fastened by welding.

[53] According to one embodiment, the first portion comprises a first lateral housing and the second portion comprises a second lateral housing, said first and second lateral housings being opposite one another.

[54] According to one embodiment, the first and second lateral housings are configured to house the second assembly means.

[55] According to one embodiment, the second assembly means is welded to the first and second portion in the first and second lateral housings.

[56] According to one embodiment, the protection system is metallic.

[57] Finally, the invention also provides an assembly for a tubular column designed for applications in the production, the transport and the storage of energy, said assembly comprising a tube and a protection system according to the invention, the protection system being fastened to the tube. When the protection system is fastened to the tube, the longitudinal axis A1 of the protection system is merged with a longitudinal axis of the tube.

[58] According to one embodiment, the protection system is fastened to the tube by clamping at least one screw-nut system. The at least one screw-nut system thus acts in the manner of a clamping collar about the tube, which fastens it to the tube. The screw-nut system thus fulfils two functions: the first is to assemble the two portions of the protection system about the tube, the second is to fasten the protection system to the tube by clamping.

[59] Due to the above-mentioned features, the protection system comprising the clamping device can be fastened to the tube before the process of assembling the column. The protection system is thus so to speak "preinstalled" on the tube. It is thus no longer necessary to install a protection system during the assembly process. This makes it possible to reduce significantly the assembly time and the number of operators in the "red zone" which has the direct result of reducing the level of risk and the costs. Brief description of the figures

[60] The invention will be understood more clearly and further objects, details, features and advantages thereof will appear more clearly during the course of the following description of several particular embodiments of the invention, which are merely provided in an illustrative and non-limiting manner with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[61] It should be understood, however, that the present application is not limited to the precise arrangements, structures, features, embodiments and appearance indicated. The drawings are not drawn to scale and are not designed to limit the scope of the claims to the embodiment(s) shown in these drawings.

[62] As a result, it should be understood that when the features mentioned in the claims are followed by reference signs, said reference signs are included solely in order to improve the understanding of the claims and do not limit the scope thereof in any way. [Fig. 1] Figure 1 is a three-dimensional sketch of an exploded view of a cable clamping device according to one embodiment of the invention. [Fig. 2] Figure 2 is a three-dimensional sketch of the clamping device of Figure 1 in the mounted state in which the pressing means and the retaining means are in the open position, and also illustrating a cable. [Fig. 3] Figure 3 is a three-dimensional sketch of the clamping device of Figure 1 in the mounted state without the retaining means in which the pressing means is in the closed position, and also illustrating three cables. [Fig. 4] Figure 4 is a three-dimensional sketch of a rear view of the clamping device of Figure 2 illustrating three cables, and in which the pressing means and the retaining means are in the closed position. [Fig. 5] Figure 5 is a three-dimensional sketch of an exploded view of a protection system according to one embodiment of the invention. [Fig. 6] Figure 6 is a sketch of a cross-sectional view of an assembly according to the invention which comprises the protection system of Figure 5 in the mounted state. [Fig. 7] Figure 7 is a three-dimensional sketch of the assembly of figure 6. Description of the embodiments

[63] It should be noted that common elements are referenced by identical reference numerals in all of the figures.

[64] Figure 1 is a three-dimensional sketch of an exploded view of a cable clamping device 1 according to one embodiment of the invention.

[65] The cable clamping device 1 illustrated in Figure 1 is metallic. The clamping device 1 comprises a base 3, a mount 4, a rod 12, a pressing means 13 and a retaining means 14. It should be noted that the pressing means 13 and the mount 4 are not integral but the view which is shown in Figure 1 is such that the pressing means 13 is partially concealed by a part of the mount 4.

[66] The base 3 extends in a first plane. The base 3 is of substantially rectangular shape and has rounded angles. The base 3 comprises a first opening 5 and an arm 16.

[67] The first opening 5 is a through-hole of circular section.

[68] The arm 16 extends from the base 3 via a third end 26 into a second plane at right-angles to the first plane of the base 3 to a fourth end 27 which is distal to the base 3. The fourth end 27 extends in a third plane which is at right-angles both to the first plane of the base 3 and to the second plane of the arm 16. In Figures 2, 3 and 4 it can also be seen that when the clamping device 1 is in the mounted state, the fourth end 27 protrudes from the mount 4. The arm 16 further comprises a blocking means 17. The blocking means 17 shown in Figure 1 consists of a notch 29 formed between a first protuberance 28 and a second protuberance 30 formed on the arm 16. The first and second protuberances 28 and 30 are symmetrical relative to one another along an axis of symmetry which passes through the centre of the notch 29 and which is also an axis of symmetry of the notch 29. Thus the axis of symmetry of the notch 29 is also an axis of symmetry of the blocking means 17.

[69] The mount 4 comprises a principal portion 6, a first leg 8 and a second leg 10.

[70] The principal portion 6 is U-shaped and thus has a central segment 7 which extends along a first axis X, the ends thereof being bent and forming a first lateral segment 7' and a second lateral segment 7". Thus the first lateral segment 7' extends from a first end of the central segment 7 forming a rounded top with said central segment 7. The first lateral segment 7' extends in a first direction along a second axis Y. The second axis Y is substantially perpendicular to the first axis X. The second lateral segment 7" extends from a second end of the central segment 7 forming a rounded top with said central segment 7. The second lateral segment 7" extends in the first direction along a third axis Y'. The third axis Y' is substantially perpendicular to the first axis X. Thus the second axis Y and the third axis Y' are substantially parallel to one another. The central segment 7 has a second opening 5' which is configured opposite the first opening 5 when the clamping device 1 is in the mounted state. The second opening 5' is also a through-hole of circular section having a diameter which is substantially equal to a diameter of the first opening 5. The second opening 5' has a central position on the central segment 7. Thus a centre of the second opening 5' is also a centre of symmetry of the central segment 7.

[71] The first leg 8 extends from the first lateral segment 7' to a first end. The first end comprises a first abutment surface 9 and a first return 19. The first leg 8 extends in a second direction and along a fourth axis Z. The fourth axis Z forms a first angle a with the second axis Y. The fourth axis Z is substantially perpendicular to the second axis Y. The first abutment surface 9 and the first return 19 form a first housing 20 of the first leg 8. The first abutment surface 9 extends along an axis substantially parallel to the second axis Y and substantially perpendicular to the fourth axis Z. The first return 19 extends along an axis substantially parallel to the fourth axis Z and substantially perpendicular to the second axis Y.

[72] The second leg 10 extends from the second lateral segment 7" to a second end. The second end comprises a second abutment surface 11 and a second return 21. The second leg 10 extends in the second direction and along a fifth axis Z'. The fifth axis Z' forms a second angle P with the third axis Y'. The fifth axis Z' is substantially perpendicular to the third axis Y'. Thus the fourth axis Z and the fifth axis Z' are substantially parallel to one another and the first angle a and the second angle P are substantially equal and have a value of 90°. The second abutment surface 11 and the second return 21 form a second housing 22 of the second leg 10. The second abutment surface 11 extends along an axis substantially parallel to the third axis Y' and substantially perpendicular to the fifth axis Z'. The second return 21 extends along an axis substantially parallel to the fifth axis Z' and substantially perpendicular to the third axis Y'. The fourth axis Z and the fifth axis Z' are substantially parallel to one another. The first leg 8 and the second leg 10 are of equal dimensions, in particular they are of the same length. As a result, the second opening 5' is equidistant from the first abutment surface 9 and the second abutment surface 11.

[73] The first housing 20 and the second housing 22 are designed to receive one or more cables for a tubular column. The cable can be an electric power cable, an electric communication cable, a control line, a hydraulic cable, a fibre optic cable, a chemical injection cable or any other type of cable.

[74] The rod 12 has a generally cylindrical shape, a diameter section thereof being less than the diameter of the first and second openings 5 and 5'. Thus the rod 12 has an axis of revolution which is also an axis of rotation R of the rod 12. The rod also comprises an upper part 15 which can also be called the head, which is designed to be coupled to a drive tool to drive the rod 12 about its axis R. The upper part 15 forms a flange which is capable of abutting against an upper surface of the central segment 7 when the device 1 is in the mounted state. The upper part 15 shown in Figure 1 is a hexagonal head. An axis perpendicular to the axis R and passing through a centre of the second opening 5' is an axis of symmetry of the principal portion 6 of the mount 4.

[75] The pressing means 13 has a third opening 25 which is configured opposite the first opening 5 and the second opening 5' when the clamping device 1 is in the mounted state. The third opening 25 is also a through-hole of circular section having a diameter which is substantially equal to a diameter of the first and second openings 5 and 5'. The pressing means 13 has a shape which is configured to cause a linear movement of the cables when the pressing means 13 carries out a rotation about the axis R of the rod 12. Thus the pressing means 13 shown in Figures 1 to 4 is a cam of substantially oval shape, but it could have any other shape.

[76] The retaining means 14 is flat and of generally elongated shape. "Flat" is understood to mean that the retaining means 14 has a surface and a shape which is essentially bidimensional, i.e. that it extends principally in a single plane, such as a horizontal or vertical plane, and that it does not have a significant volume in a third dimension which means that it is slim or thin in this third dimension. Thus the retaining means 14 is a tongue in the examples illustrated in Figures 1, 2 and 4. The retaining means 14 has a fourth opening 25' which is configured opposite the first opening 5, the second opening 5' and the third opening 25 when the clamping device 1 is in the mounted state. The fourth opening 25' is also a through-hole of circular section having a diameter which is substantially equal to a diameter of the first, second and third openings 5, 5' and 25. The retaining means 14 comprises an end which is proximal to the fourth opening 25' and an end which is distal to the fourth opening 25'. The end which is proximal to the fourth opening 25' comprises a lug 18.

[77] Figure 2 is a three-dimensional sketch of the clamping device of Figure 1 in the mounted state in which the pressing means 13 and the retaining means 14 are in the open position, and also illustrating a cable 50.

[78] Thus in the mounted state the mount 6 is fastened to the base 3 by welding the first leg 8 and the second leg 10 to the base 3. The retaining means 14 is axially positioned between the central segment 7 and the pressing means 13. The retaining means 14 is welded to the pressing means 13. The retaining means 14 and the pressing means 13 are thus integral. The pressing means 13 is welded to the rod 12 (not visible). The pressing means 13 and the rod 12 are thus integral. Thus the rod 12, the retaining means 14 and the pressing means 13 constitute a mechanically integral assembly capable of being driven in rotation about the axis R of the rod. In this manner, the retaining means 14 and the pressing means 13 can pass from a first angular position, also called the "open position", to a second angular position, also called the "closed position".

[79] Moreover, in the mounted state the first, second, third and fourth openings 5, 5', 25 and 25' are opposite one another. The rod 12 passes through the first, second, third and fourth openings 5, 5', 25 and 25' and the head 15 of the rod 12 rests against the upper surface of the central segment 7 of the mount 6. The first, second, third and fourth openings 5, 5', 25 and 25' and the rod 12 are equidistant from the first abutment surface 9 and the second abutment surface 11. As a result, a projection from a point located on the axis R of the rod 12, such as a centre of any one of the first, second, third and fourth openings 5, 5', 25 and 25 on an axis passing through the first abutment surface 9 and through the second abutment surface 11 is located between said abutment surfaces 9 and 11 and equidistant from said abutment surfaces 9 and 11. Due to this offset position of the pressing means relative to the abutment surfaces, the point of application of the thrust force exerted by the pressing means on a cable assembly is also offset relative to the bearing points which the abutment surfaces represent. The application of the all of the stresses mechanically causes a curvature of all of the cables, thus enabling them to be held clamped between the pressing means and the abutment surfaces. In the absence of such a curvature, the cables are not directly subjected to the thrust of the pressing means or abutment surfaces, i.e. those cables located at the centre of a cable assembly would be too loosely clamped and would end up sliding outside the device under operating conditions.

[80] Thus in Figure 2 it is seen that in the open position the retaining means 14 and the pressing means 13 are both in the open position. As a result, no thrust is exerted by the pressing means 13 on the cable 50 and the retaining means 14 is not in a position to retain the cable 50. Thus in the open position the cable 50 is not fastened.

[81] Figure 3 shows a three-dimensional sketch of the clamping device 1 of Figure 1 in the mounted state without the retaining means 14, in which the pressing means 13 is in the closed position, and also illustrating three cables 51a, 51b and 51c. The curvature which is generated on the assembly of a first cable 51a, a second cable 51b and a third cable 51c by the effect of the pressing means 13 on the cable 51a can be seen in Figure 3. The pressure exerted on the first cable 51a bends the cable assembly present in the clamping device 1. In this manner, even the second cable 51b, which is located in the centre and not subjected to any direct pressure, is held in the cable assembly and thus is fastened in the clamping device 1.

[82] Figure 4 is a three-dimensional sketch of a rear view of the clamping device 1 of Figure 2 illustrating three cables 51a, 51b and 51c and in which the pressing means and the retaining means are in the closed position.

[83] It can be seen in Figure 4 that in the closed position the retaining means 14 extends above a part of the cables 51a, 51b, and 51c and in the direction of the first and second returns 19 and 21. According to the embodiment illustrated in Figure 4, the retaining means 14 extends above the first and second cables 51a and 51b and extends partially above the third cable 51c. The first return 19 and the second return 21 are of the same length and extend partially above the third cable 51c in a direction opposing the retaining means 14. Thus the cables are positioned and fastened between, on the one hand, the retaining means 14 and the first and second return 19 and 21 which extend above the cables and, on the other hand, the first and second legs 8 and 10 on which the cables rest.

[84] It can also be seen in Figure 4 that in the closed position the lug 18 is located in the notch 29 of the blocking means 17 formed on the arm 16, which prevents an accidental return of the retaining means 14 into the open position.

[85] Figure 5 is a three-dimensional sketch of an exploded view of a protection system 100 according to one embodiment of the invention.

[86] The protection system 100 has a longitudinal axis A1. The protection system 100 comprises a first portion 102 having a first internal surface 108 and a second portion 104 having a second internal surface 108'. The first and second internal surfaces 108 and 108' are substantially cylindrical and each is configured to surround at least partially a tube such as a tube of a tubular column of a hydrocarbon well. The first portion 102 extends over a first length along an axis parallel to the axis A1 and the second portion 104 extends over a second length along an axis parallel to the axis A1.

[87] The first portion 102 comprises a first longitudinal groove 110 and a second longitudinal groove 112. The first longitudinal groove 110 and the second longitudinal groove 112 each extend along an axis parallel to the axis A1 and over the entire first length of the first portion 102. The first and second longitudinal grooves 110 and 112 are separated by a wall 111 which extends longitudinally along an axis parallel to the axis A1 and over the entire length of the first portion 102. The protection system 100 illustrated in Figure 5 also comprises two clamping devices 1. Each of the first and second longitudinal grooves 110 and 112 is configured to house a clamping device 1. Thus, when a cable is installed in the protection system 100, said cable passes through the protection system 100 over its entire length, passing into the longitudinal groove in which it is installed. Thus the cable is fastened by the clamping device 1 inside a longitudinal groove. This protects the cable from any direct contact with a structural element of the well, in particular during the completion of a tube column in a well. The first portion 102 comprises a first lateral housing 114 and the second portion 104 comprises a second lateral housing 115. The first and second portions 102 and 104 are configured such that the first and second lateral housings 114 and 115 are opposite one another when the protection system 100 is in the mounted state.

[88] The protection system 100 also comprises a first assembly means 50 and a second assembly means 60. In the embodiment illustrated in Figure 5, the first assembly means 50 is a screw-nut system and the second assembly means 60 is a hinge. The first assembly means 50 comprises a screw 58, a washer 56, a threaded shaft 54 and a retaining ring 52, also called a circlip. The hinge shown in Figure 5 is composed of a first body 62, a second body 64 and a third body 66, all three connected by a pin 68 which constitutes the pivot pin of the hinge. The first, second and third bodies 62, 64 and 66 are designed to be fastened to the first and second portions 102 and 104 to be assembled. Any type of hinge can be suitable for implementing the protection system 100 of the present invention. The first and second lateral housings 114 and 115 are configured to house the second assembly means 60 when the protection system 100 is in the mounted state.

[89] Figure 6 is a sketch of a cross-sectional view of an assembly 300 according to the invention which comprises the protection system 100 of Figure 5 in the mounted state with two clamping devices 1 according to the invention. The protection system 100 is fastened to a tube 2.

[90] The first clamping device 1 comprises two cables 70 and is welded to the first portion 102 in the first longitudinal groove 110. The second clamping device 1 comprises a cable 71 and is welded to the second portion 104 in the second longitudinal groove 112. The two clamping devices 1 are in the closed position.

[91] The second assembly means 60, which is a hinge, is housed in the first and second lateral housings 114 and 115. The second assembly means 60 is fastened to the protection system 100 by welding the first, second and third bodies 62, 64 and 66 to the first and second portions 102 and 104 in the first and second lateral housings 114 and 115. In this manner, the second assembly means 60 assembles the first and second portions 102 and 104. Due to the pin 68 which connects the first body 62, the second body 64 and the third body 66, the first and second portions 102 and 104 can carry out a rotation about the pin 68. Thus the protection system 100 can be opened and closed by rotating the first and second portions 102 and 104 about the pin 68. In this manner, the protection system 100 can be positioned, when open, about a tube 2 then closed onto this tube 2. Then the protection system 100 is fastened to the tube 2 by clamping, due to the screw-nut system 50. The protection system 100 is thus fastened to the tube 2 by clamping the first assembly means 50.

[92] Figure 7 is a three-dimensional sketch of the assembly 300 of Figure 6. The protection system 100 is fastened to the tube 2. According to the embodiment illustrated in Figures 6 and 7, the protection system 100 fastens three cables 70 and 71 but it can also fasten further cables. For example, a protection system 100 according to the invention can fasten three cables in each clamping device 1.

[93] Thus a single clamping device 1 according to the invention can fasten three cables, i.e. more than the existing devices. Moreover, a protection system according to the invention can comprise a plurality of clamping devices. For example, by adapting the second portion 104 with the additional longitudinal grooves, the protection system 100 can comprise three or four clamping devices 1. The advantage of the present invention relative to the prior art is thus significant, in particular relative to the number of cables which can be fastened.

Claims

Claims

1. Cable clamping device (1) designed to be attached to a tube (2) of a tubular column for applications in the production, the transport and the storage of energy, the device (1) comprising a base (3) extending in a first plane and comprising a first opening (5) and a mount (4), comprising : • a principal portion (6) having a central segment (7), said central segment (7) comprising a second opening (5') opposite the first opening, • a first leg (8) capable of receiving a cable and comprising a first end forming a first abutment surface (9), • a second leg (10) capable of receiving a cable and comprising a second end forming a second abutment surface (11), the clamping device (1) also comprising a pressing means (13) having a third opening (25) opposite the first and second openings (5, 5') and a rod (12) having an axis of rotation (R) and passing through the first, second and third openings (5, 5', 25), the pressing means (13) being integral with the rod (12) such that when the rod (12) carries out a rotation about its axis (R) and at least one cable is placed on the first and second legs (8, 10), the pressing means (13) simultaneously carries out the same rotation and presses the cable against the first and second abutment surfaces (9, 11) so as to bend the cable.

2. Clamping device (1) according to Claim 1, the device also comprising a retaining means (14) having a fourth opening (25') opposite the first, second and third openings (5, 5', 25, 25'), said retaining means (14) being axially positioned between the central segment (7) and the pressing means (13), and said retaining means (14) being integral with the pressing means (13).

3. Clamping device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the rod (12) has an upper part (15) configured tobe coupled to a drive tool which is designed to drive the rod (12) in rotation about its axis of rotation (R) so as to pass the pressing means (13) and / or the retaining means (14) from a first angular position to a second angular position and vice versa.

4. Clamping device (1) according to Claim 3, wherein : • the first angular position makes it possible to install a cable on the first and second legs (8, 10), and • the second angular position makes it possible for the pressing means (13) to exert a thrust force on the cable so as to clamp the cable against the first and second abutment surfaces (9, 11) and / or for the retaining means (14) to retain the cable so as to hold it installed on the first and second legs (8, 10).

5. Clamping device (1) according to any one of Claims 2 to 4, the device also comprising an arm (16) extending from the base (3) via a third end and in a second plane at right-angles to the first plane of the base (3), said arm (16) having a blocking means (17) which is configured to block a rotational movement of the retaining means (14) about the axis of rotation (R) of the rod (12).

6. Clamping device (1) according to Claim 5, wherein the retaining means (14) has an end which is proximal to the fourth opening (25'), said end comprising a lug (18) which is configured to be blocked by the blocking means (17) so as to prevent a return of the retaining means (14).

7. Clamping device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first leg (8) comprises a first return (19) forming a first housing (20) capable of receiving all or part of at least one cable, and the second leg (10) comprises a second return (21) forming a second housing (22) opposite the first housing (20) and capable of receiving all or part of at least one cable.

8. Protection system (100) designed to protect and fasten a cable to a tube (2) of a tubular column for applications in the production, the transport and the storage of energy, said system comprising a cable clamping device (1) according to any one of Claims 1 to 7.

9. Protection system (100) according to Claim 8, the system comprising a longitudinal axis (A1), a first portion (102) and a second portion (104) each having a substantially cylindrical internal surface (108, 108') and configured to surround at least partially the tube (2).

10. Protection system (100) according to Claim 9, wherein the first portion (102) and the second portion (104) are assembled to one another by a first assembly means (50) and / or by a second assembly means (60).

11. Protection system (100) according to Claim 10, wherein the first assembly means (50) and / or the second assembly means (60) is a screw-nut system.

12. Protection system (100) according to any one of Claims 8 to 11, wherein the first portion (102) and / or the second portion (104) comprises at least one longitudinal groove (110, 112) extending substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis (A1), the clamping device (1) being fastened in said groove (110, 112).

13. Assembly (300) for a tubular column designed for applications in the production, the transport and the storage of energy, said assembly comprising a tube (2) and a protection system (100) according to any one of Claims 8 to 12, the protection system (100) being fastened to the tube (2).

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