A dynamic flexible cable underwater float and its use method

Abstract

The invention discloses a dynamic flexible pipe cable underwater float and a use method thereof. The float device comprises a segmented longitudinal connection device, an end buoyancy module, an adjustment buoyancy module, an external clamp device, an intermediate buoyancy module, a buffer fixture and a fixing fixture. The end buoyancy module, the adjustment buoyancy module and the intermediate buoyancy module are all semicircular ring-shaped blocks made of water pressure resistant foaming material, which are connected by the segmented longitudinal connection device to form a semi-cylindrical buoyancy module half-tile. Two semi-cylindrical buoyancy module half-tiles are fixedly connected to the outside of the buffer fixture by the external clamp device, and are fixed by the fixing fixture arranged inside the buffer fixture and the dynamic flexible pipe cable. During use, the invention can realize rapid adjustment of different buoyancy through the combination of different buoyancy modules, and can replace and repair the buoyancy modules separately when the pipe cable is partially damaged, without the need to abandon the entire module, thereby effectively improving the economy of the use of the float.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a buoyancy device and a use method thereof, in particular to a dynamic flexible cable float in water and a use method thereof, belonging to the technical field of marine cable engineering. Background Art

[0002] With the development of deep-sea resources around the world, various deep-sea equipment has been widely used. Due to the deep water depth of deep-sea water, deep-sea equipment is mostly based on floating structures, and these equipment cannot be fixed to the seabed. Since deep-sea equipment requires an operating platform on water or land to provide power and control signals, and feed back the collected data to the operating platform, a large number of pipes and cables need to be connected between the deep-sea equipment and the water platform. Since the floating structure and the fixed section of the seabed need to adapt to the rise and fall and overcome the effects of waves and currents, the connection of pipes and cables cannot be achieved by rigid fixation, and dynamic flexible pipes and cables are required for connection. In deep-water environments, the distance between the flexible pipes and cables connecting underwater deep-sea equipment and surface floating equipment is very long, resulting in a large weight of pipes and cables in the water. In order to reduce the connection force at the end of the pipe and cable and avoid the sharp increase in costs caused by overcoming environmental factors during the manufacturing process of the pipe and cable, the underwater installation of the pipe and cable usually adopts an S-shaped underwater layout, and the weight of the pipe and cable in the water is reduced by a buoyancy box or buoyancy block. At present, the main method used is the mid-water buoy, which uses a steel permanent buoy to lift the pipe and cable in the water and reduce the axial tension of the end connection on the floating equipment. However, the mid-water buoy has a large structure and requires special equipment at sea for installation, resulting in high overall costs. It is not suitable for the connection of flexible pipes and cables with moderate water depth and small number.

[0003] At some deepwater dynamic flexible pipe and cable connection sites, there are buoyancy modules with an integral structure. The buoyancy material is made into two half-tiles, and the two halves of the buoyancy block are tied and fixed with metal fastening belts at the position where the flexible pipe and cable need buoyancy. With this type of installation method, the buoyant block and the clamp are fixed by strong force, so that the buoyant block always operates under high stress, which cannot guarantee long-term safety and stability. It is very easy for the polymer material to creep or stress relax prematurely under high extrusion pressure conditions, causing the volume deformation of the buoyancy block and the reduction of the fastening force of the fastening belt, which eventually causes the buoyant block structure to move and fail. The buoyancy block with an integral structure requires a large mold for manufacturing. The mold is used less frequently and consumes a lot of energy, so it must be analyzed according to one buoyancy during design, and the on-site installation requires strict control of the installation position accuracy. Therefore, the cost of the buoyant block with an integral structure is very high, and it is also difficult to manufacture and install.

[0004] The above-mentioned problems involve the current marine dynamic flexible cable underwater buoyancy device. The solution factors focus on how to flexibly configure it according to different buoyancy requirements to achieve rapid on-site installation and long-term stable use underwater.

[0005] It is in this context that this patent application proposes a dynamic flexible umbilical cable underwater float and a method for using the same. Summary of the invention

[0006] The main purpose of the present invention is to overcome the above-mentioned shortcomings of the prior art and to provide a dynamic flexible umbilical underwater float and a method for using the same.

[0007] The present invention is achieved by the following technical solutions:

[0008] A dynamic flexible cable underwater float, comprising a segmented longitudinal connection device, an end buoyancy module, an adjustment buoyancy module, an external clamp device, an intermediate buoyancy module, a buffer fixture, and a fixing fixture;

[0009] The end buoyancy module is a semicircular ring-shaped block made of water pressure resistant foam material. The outer vertical surface of the end buoyancy module is provided with an annular groove for installing the external clamp device. The annular end buoyancy module is formed by two left-right symmetrical end buoyancy modules being clamped by the external clamp device.

[0010] The buoyancy adjustment module is a semicircular ring-shaped block made of water pressure resistant foam material. The outer vertical surface of the buoyancy adjustment module is provided with an annular groove for installing the external clamp device. The annular buoyancy adjustment module is formed by two symmetrical buoyancy adjustment modules being clamped by the external clamp device.

[0011] The intermediate buoyancy module is a semicircular ring-shaped block made of water pressure resistant foam material. The outer vertical surface of the intermediate buoyancy module is provided with an annular groove for installing the external clamping device. The annular intermediate buoyancy module is formed by two bilaterally symmetrical intermediate buoyancy modules being clamped by the external clamping device.

[0012] The buffer fixture is arranged inside the intermediate buoyancy module. The buffer fixture is an arc-shaped half-tile fixture made of polyurethane casting with certain elasticity. The buffer fixture is provided with an inner groove sleeve. The annular buffer fixture is formed by connecting two left-right symmetrical buffer fixtures through bolts.

[0013] The fixing fixture is arranged inside the buffer fixture. The fixing fixture is an arc-shaped half-tile fixture made of corrosion-resistant stainless steel. The fixing fixture is provided with an inner hollow column sleeve. The circular fixing fixture is formed by connecting two left-right symmetrical fixing fixtures through bolts.

[0014] The ring end buoyancy modules are in two groups, located at the two ends of the float respectively; the ring middle buoyancy module is in one group, located in the middle of the float; the ring adjustment buoyancy module is arranged between the ring end buoyancy module and the ring middle buoyancy module; the end buoyancy module, the adjustment buoyancy module and the middle buoyancy module are symmetrically provided with connection holes;

[0015] The segmented longitudinal connection device is a fully threaded connection bolt assembly made of corrosion-resistant stainless steel, and includes a screw rod and a nut. The screw rod passes through the connection holes provided in the end buoyancy module, the adjustment buoyancy module, and the middle buoyancy module and is locked with the nut.

[0016] Preferably, the external clamp device is a high-strength steel belt provided with connecting bolts.

[0017] Preferably, the inner half ring of the end buoyancy module is a tapered half ring with a gradually decreasing inner diameter from the end to the inside, and the minimum inner diameter of the inner half ring of the end buoyancy module is slightly larger than the outer diameter of the dynamic flexible pipe cable.

[0018] Preferably, two lifting grooves with blind holes of a certain depth are symmetrically arranged on the end surface of the end buoyancy module.

[0019] Preferably, the inner diameter of the inner half ring of the adjustable buoyancy module is slightly larger than the outer diameter of the dynamic flexible umbilical cable.

[0020] Preferably, the inner diameter of the inner half ring of the intermediate buoyancy module is slightly smaller than the outer diameter of the buffer fixture.

[0021] Preferably, a shallow tooth socket is provided inside the fixing fixture.

[0022] The present invention also relates to a method for using a dynamic flexible cable underwater float, the method comprising the following steps:

[0023] Step S1: Calculate the installation position of the float according to the dynamic flexible umbilge arrangement, complete the float assembly before launching, fasten the fixing fixture to the outside of the dynamic flexible umbilge, fasten the buffer fixture to the outside of the fixing fixture, assemble the end buoyancy module, the adjustment buoyancy module and the middle buoyancy module into a semi-cylindrical buoyancy module half-tile through the segmented longitudinal connection device, sleeve the semi-cylindrical buoyancy module half-tile on the outside of the buffer fixture, and fix the cylindrical buoyancy module formed by fixing and connecting two semi-cylindrical buoyancy module half-tiles to the outside of the buffer fixture through the external clamp device;

[0024] Step S2: The dynamic flexible pipe and cable laying construction is carried out. After the float enters the water, the weight of the pipe and cable in the water will be gradually pulled into the water. As the subsequent pipe and cable without the float installed enters the water, the float will further sink into the water. According to the designed buoyancy requirements, the buoyancy requirements of the buoyancy modules at different positions are different, and the buoyancy can be increased or decreased by increasing or decreasing the number of the adjustment buoyancy modules. If the float is damaged due to accidental damage during use, the damaged buoyancy module can be replaced by underwater installation equipment or diver operation.

[0025] Beneficial effects of the present invention:

[0026] The present invention discloses a dynamic flexible cable underwater float which is firmly fixed to the flexible cable by a fixing fixture, and a buffer fixture is arranged between an intermediate buoyancy module and the fixing fixture to reduce the use stress of the intermediate buoyancy module, slow down and weaken the stress relaxation of the buoyancy module manufacturing material, i.e., the polymer material, and improve the service life; during use, different buoyancy can be quickly adjusted by combining different buoyancy modules, and can cope with occasions of temporary buoyancy adjustment; buoyancy module combinations are arranged according to different positions, and in the event of damage in a small local area, the buoyancy modules can be replaced separately to achieve repair without the need to abandon the entire module, thereby effectively improving the economy of the use of the float.

[0027] The present invention will be further described below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and embodiments. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0028] Figure 1 It is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

[0029] Figure 2 It is a schematic diagram of the composition of a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

[0030] Figure 3 It is a schematic diagram of the structure of the end buoyancy module of the present invention;

[0031] Figure 4 It is a schematic diagram of the structure of the buoyancy adjustment module of the present invention;

[0032] Figure 5 It is a schematic diagram of the structure of the intermediate buoyancy module of the present invention.

[0033] The components in the attached drawings are marked as follows: 1. Segment longitudinal connection device; 2. End buoyancy module; 2.1. Lifting groove; 3. Adjustment buoyancy module; 4. External clamp device; 5. Intermediate buoyancy module; 6. Buffer clamp; 7. Fixing clamp; 8. Dynamic flexible pipe cable. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0034] The technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention are described clearly and completely below. Obviously, the described embodiments are only part of the embodiments of the present invention, not all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without creative work are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0035] like Figure 1-5As shown, a dynamic flexible cable underwater float comprises a segmented longitudinal connection device 1, an end buoyancy module 2, an adjustment buoyancy module 3, an external clamp device 4, an intermediate buoyancy module 5, a buffer fixture 6, and a fixing fixture 7; the end buoyancy module 2 is a semicircular ring-shaped block made of a water pressure resistant foam material, the inner semi-ring of the end buoyancy module 2 is a tapered semi-ring with a gradually decreasing inner diameter from the end to the inside, the minimum inner diameter of the inner semi-ring of the end buoyancy module 2 is slightly larger than the outer diameter of the dynamic flexible cable 8, the end surface of the end buoyancy module 2 is symmetrically provided with two lifting grooves with blind holes of a certain depth, the outer facade of the end buoyancy module 2 is provided with an annular groove for installing the external clamp device 4, and the circular end buoyancy module is formed by two left-right symmetrical end buoyancy modules 2 being clamped by the external clamp device 4; the adjustment buoyancy module 3 is a semicircular ring-shaped block made of a water pressure resistant foam material, and the adjustment buoyancy module 3 is a semicircular ring-shaped block made of a water pressure resistant foam material. The inner diameter of the inner semi-ring of the module 3 is slightly larger than the outer diameter of the dynamic flexible cable 8. The outer side elevation of the adjustment buoyancy module 3 is provided with an annular groove for installing the external clamp device 4. The circular adjustment buoyancy module is formed by two left-right symmetrical adjustment buoyancy modules 3 being clamped by the external clamp device 4; the middle buoyancy module 5 is a semi-circular ring-shaped block made of water pressure resistant foaming material. The outer side elevation of the middle buoyancy module 5 is provided with an annular groove for installing the external clamp device 4. The circular middle buoyancy module is formed by two left-right symmetrical middle buoyancy modules 5 being clamped by the external clamp device 4; the external clamp device 4 is a high-strength steel belt provided with connecting bolts, which is encircled in the annular grooves of the end buoyancy module 2, the adjustment buoyancy module 3, and the middle buoyancy module 5. The steel belt clamp is continuously tightened by continuously tightening the bolts to continuously shrink and clamp, and the two semi-circular ring-shaped buoyancy modules are combined into a circular ring-shaped buoyancy module.A buffer fixture 6 is arranged inside the middle buoyancy module 5. The inner diameter of the inner semi-ring of the middle buoyancy module 5 is slightly smaller than the outer diameter of the buffer fixture 6. After installation, the middle buoyancy module 5 is clamped on the outside of the buffer fixture 6. The buffer fixture 6 is an arc-shaped half-tile fixture made of polyurethane casting with certain elasticity. The buffer fixture 6 is provided with an inner groove sleeve. The circular buffer fixture is formed by two left-right symmetrical buffer fixtures 6 connected by bolts; a fixing fixture 7 is arranged inside the buffer fixture 6. The fixing fixture 7 is an arc-shaped half-tile fixture made of corrosion-resistant stainless steel. The fixing fixture 7 is provided with an inner hollow column sleeve. A shallow tooth groove is arranged inside the sleeve. The circular fixing fixture is formed by two left-right symmetrical fixing fixtures 7 connected by bolts; the buoyancy module at the end of the circular ring is 2 groups, respectively located at both ends of the float; the middle buoyancy module of the ring is 1 group, located in the middle of the float; the ring adjustment buoyancy module is arranged between the end buoyancy module of the ring and the middle buoyancy module of the ring, and the ring adjustment buoyancy module is used as a buoyancy adjustment component. The number of the ring adjustment buoyancy modules is increased or decreased according to the required buoyancy; the end buoyancy module 2, the adjustment buoyancy module 3, and the middle buoyancy module 5 are symmetrically provided with connecting holes, and the end buoyancy module 2, the adjustment buoyancy module 3, and the middle buoyancy module 5 are respectively connected by a segmented longitudinal connecting device 1 to form a semi-cylindrical buoyancy module half-tile, and a group of symmetrical 2 semi-cylindrical buoyancy module half-tiles form a cylindrical buoyancy module through an external clamp device 4.

[0036] The method of use of the present invention is as follows:

[0037] The installation position of the float is calculated according to the arrangement of the dynamic flexible pipe cable 8, and the float assembly is completed before launching. The fixing fixture 7 is fastened to the outside of the dynamic flexible pipe cable 8, and the buffer fixture 6 is fastened to the outside of the fixing fixture 7. The end buoyancy module 2, the adjustment buoyancy module 3 and the middle buoyancy module 5 are assembled into a semi-cylindrical buoyancy module half-tile through the segmented longitudinal connection device 1, and the semi-cylindrical buoyancy module half-tile is sleeved on the outside of the buffer fixture 6. The cylindrical buoyancy module formed by the fixed connection of the two semi-cylindrical buoyancy module half-tiles is fixed to the outside of the buffer fixture 6 through the external clamp device 4;

[0038] During the laying of the dynamic flexible pipe and cable 8, after the float enters the water, the weight of the pipe and cable in the water will gradually pull it into the water. As the subsequent pipe and cable without the float are put into the water, the float will further sink into the water. According to the designed buoyancy requirements, the buoyancy requirements of the buoyancy modules at different positions are different, and the buoyancy can be increased by increasing the number of buoyancy modules 3. If the float is damaged due to accidental damage during use, the damaged buoyancy module can be replaced by underwater installation equipment or divers entering the water.

[0039] The above descriptions are merely embodiments of the present invention and are not intended to limit the patent scope of the present invention. Any equivalent structure or equivalent process transformation made using the contents of the present invention specification, or directly or indirectly applied in other related technical fields, are also included in the patent protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A dynamic flexible cable underwater float, characterized in that: It comprises a segmented longitudinal connection device (1), an end buoyancy module (2), an adjustment buoyancy module (3), an external clamp device (4), an intermediate buoyancy module (5), a buffer fixture (6), and a fixing fixture (7); The end buoyancy module (2) is a semicircular ring-shaped block made of a water pressure resistant foam material. The outer vertical surface of the end buoyancy module (2) is provided with an annular groove for installing the external clamp device (4). The annular end buoyancy module is formed by two left-right symmetrical end buoyancy modules (2) being clamped together by the external clamp device (4). The adjusting buoyancy module (3) is a semicircular ring-shaped block made of a water pressure resistant foam material. The outer vertical surface of the adjusting buoyancy module (3) is provided with an annular groove for installing the external clamp device (4). The annular adjusting buoyancy module is formed by two bilaterally symmetrical adjusting buoyancy modules (3) being clamped together by the external clamp device (4). The intermediate buoyancy module (5) is a semicircular ring-shaped block made of a water pressure resistant foam material. The outer vertical surface of the intermediate buoyancy module (5) is provided with an annular groove for mounting the external clamp device (4). The annular intermediate buoyancy module is formed by two bilaterally symmetrical intermediate buoyancy modules (5) being clamped together by the external clamp device (4). The buffer fixture (6) is arranged inside the intermediate buoyancy module (5); the buffer fixture (6) is an arc-shaped half-tile fixture made by casting polyurethane with a certain elasticity; the buffer fixture (6) is provided with an inner groove sleeve; the annular buffer fixture is formed by connecting two left-right symmetrical buffer fixtures (6) through bolts; The fixing fixture (7) is arranged inside the buffer fixture (6); the fixing fixture (7) is an arc-shaped half-tile fixture made of corrosion-resistant stainless steel; the fixing fixture (7) is provided with an inner hollow column sleeve; the circular fixing fixture is formed by connecting two left-right symmetrical fixing fixtures (7) by bolts; The circular ring end buoyancy modules are in two groups, which are located at the two ends of the float respectively; the circular ring middle buoyancy module is in one group, which is located in the middle of the float; the circular ring adjustment buoyancy module is arranged between the circular ring end buoyancy module and the circular ring middle buoyancy module; the end buoyancy module (2), the adjustment buoyancy module (3), and the middle buoyancy module (5) are symmetrically provided with connection holes; the segmented longitudinal connection device (1) is a full-threaded connection bolt assembly made of corrosion-resistant stainless steel, and the segmented longitudinal connection device (1) comprises a screw and a nut, and the screw passes through the connection holes provided in the end buoyancy module (2), the adjustment buoyancy module (3), and the middle buoyancy module (5) and is locked and connected with the nut; The external clamp device (4) is a high-strength steel belt provided with connecting bolts; The inner half ring of the end buoyancy module (2) is a tapered half ring with a gradually decreasing inner diameter from the end to the inside, and the minimum inner diameter of the inner half ring of the end buoyancy module (2) is slightly larger than the outer diameter of the dynamic flexible pipe cable (8).

2. A dynamic flexible cable underwater float according to claim 1, characterized in that: The end surface of the end buoyancy module (2) is symmetrically provided with two lifting grooves having blind holes of a certain depth.

3. A dynamic flexible cable underwater float according to claim 1, characterized in that: The inner diameter of the inner half ring of the adjustable buoyancy module (3) is slightly larger than the outer diameter of the dynamic flexible umbilical cable (8).

4. A dynamic flexible umbilical cable underwater float according to claim 1, characterized in that: The inner diameter of the inner half ring of the intermediate buoyancy module (5) is slightly smaller than the outer diameter of the buffer fixture (6).

5. A dynamic flexible umbilical cable underwater float according to claim 1, characterized in that: A shallow tooth socket is arranged inside the fixing fixture (7).

6. A dynamic flexible umbilical cable underwater float and a method of using the same, using a dynamic flexible umbilical cable underwater float as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that: The method for using a dynamic flexible cable underwater float comprises the following steps: Step S1: Calculate the installation position of the float according to the arrangement of the dynamic flexible umbilical cable (8), complete the assembly of the float before launching, fasten the fixing fixture (7) to the outside of the dynamic flexible umbilical cable (8), fasten the buffer fixture (6) to the outside of the fixing fixture (7), assemble the end buoyancy module (2), the adjustment buoyancy module (3) and the middle buoyancy module (5) into a semi-cylindrical buoyancy module half-shell through the segmented longitudinal connection device (1), sleeve the semi-cylindrical buoyancy module half-shell on the outside of the buffer fixture (6), and fix the cylindrical buoyancy module formed by fixing and connecting two semi-cylindrical buoyancy module half-shells to the outside of the buffer fixture (6) through the external clamp device (4); Step S2: The dynamic flexible pipe and cable (8) is laid. After the float enters the water, the weight of the pipe and cable in the water will be gradually pulled into the water. As the subsequent pipe and cable without the float enter the water, the float will further sink into the water. According to the designed buoyancy requirements, the buoyancy requirements of the buoyancy modules at different positions are different. The buoyancy can be increased or decreased by increasing or decreasing the number of the adjustment buoyancy modules (3). If the float is damaged due to accidental damage during use, the damaged buoyancy module can be replaced by underwater installation equipment or diver operation.

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