A new gravity anchor structure

Abstract

This invention belongs to the field of marine engineering anchoring technology, and provides a novel gravity anchor structure, including a counterweight, an outer holding part at the bottom of the counterweight, and an inner holding part between the outer holding part and the counterweight. The outer and inner holding parts are respectively positioned corresponding to the seabed. Several connecting components are provided on the outer holding part, and one connecting component is correspondingly positioned to the anchor chain. The gravity anchor structure of this invention can effectively improve the horizontal bearing capacity of the gravity anchor, while also being simple in structure, easy to manufacture, and inexpensive to use.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the field of marine engineering anchoring technology, and in particular relates to a novel gravity anchor structure. Background Technology

[0002] With rapid economic growth and social progress, the ocean plays an increasingly important role in human societal development, leading to faster advancements in marine engineering equipment, such as floating photovoltaic systems, floating breakwaters, and floating production platforms. However, unlike terrestrial environments, the marine environment is harsh, complex, and highly variable, subjecting floating structures to the combined effects of wind, waves, and currents. Therefore, floating structures typically require mooring systems for positioning during operation, ensuring they remain in a relatively stable position under external loads.

[0003] Mooring systems provide restoring force and damping to the superstructure, thus maintaining its relative stability. Commonly used anchoring foundations include pile anchors, gravity anchors, suction anchors, normal bearing anchors, suction penetration anchors, and dynamic penetration anchors. Gravity anchors are a relatively old type, primarily made of concrete blocks, steel blocks, scrap metal, or other high-density materials. They are widely used in mooring systems due to their advantages such as simple construction, wide applicability to various soil conditions, low cost, and recyclability.

[0004] In waters less than 1000m deep, catenary mooring systems are commonly used. A mooring line of a certain length lies on the seabed, ensuring that the load on the anchoring foundation is primarily horizontal. However, the horizontal bearing capacity of a gravity anchor mainly depends on the friction between the anchor bottom and the soil, resulting in a relatively low horizontal bearing capacity. When, under external loads, the horizontal component of the tension applied to the gravity anchor by the mooring line exceeds its horizontal bearing capacity, the entire mooring system faces the risk of displacement. Therefore, addressing the problems of low horizontal bearing capacity and unidirectional load on gravity anchors, this invention proposes a novel gravity anchor structure. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The purpose of this invention is to provide a novel gravity anchor structure to solve the above-mentioned problems and effectively improve the horizontal bearing capacity of the gravity anchor.

[0006] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides the following solution: a novel gravity anchor structure, comprising a counterweight, an outer gripping part at the bottom of the counterweight, an inner gripping part between the outer gripping part and the counterweight, the outer gripping part and the inner gripping part being respectively disposed corresponding to the seabed, and a plurality of connecting components being disposed on the outer gripping part, one of the connecting components being disposed corresponding to the anchor chain.

[0007] Preferably, the counterweight includes a pressure block, and the outer gripping part and the inner gripping part are respectively fixedly connected to the bottom wall of the pressure block.

[0008] Preferably, the outer gripping part includes an outer skirt, which is configured as a cylindrical structure with open ends. The outer skirt is vertically fixed to the bottom wall of the pressure block. The inner gripping part is disposed inside the outer skirt, and a plurality of the connecting components are equally spaced on the top of the outer peripheral sidewall of the outer skirt.

[0009] Preferably, the inner gripping part includes a plurality of vertically arranged inner shear keys, which are evenly distributed around the central axis of the outer skirt. One sidewall of each inner shear key is fixedly connected to the other sidewall, and the other sidewall is fixedly connected to the inner sidewall of the outer skirt. The top of each inner shear key is fixedly connected to the bottom of the pressure block.

[0010] Preferably, the connecting assembly includes two sets of connecting rings, and a connecting shaft is rotatably connected between the two sets of connecting rings. The axis of the connecting shaft is vertically oriented, and a latch is fixedly connected to the circumferential sidewall of the connecting shaft. The latch is correspondingly arranged with the anchor chain.

[0011] Preferably, several diagonal braces are fixedly connected between the bottom of the pressure block and the inner sidewall of the outer skirt, and between the sidewall of the inner shear key and the bottom of the pressure block.

[0012] Preferably, the material of the compact is concrete.

[0013] Preferably, the outer skirt and the plurality of inner shear keys are made of steel plates.

[0014] Compared with existing technologies, this invention has the following advantages and technical effects: the main function of the counterweight is to bear most of the vertical bearing capacity required by the entire mooring system; the main function of the outer holding part is to cut the seabed soil, facilitating the overall foundation installation and sinking of the gravity anchor structure; the main function of the inner holding part is to withstand the resistance of the seabed soil, significantly improving the horizontal bearing capacity of the gravity anchor, and can also withstand horizontal loads transmitted by the anchor chain in multiple directions, thus increasing the applicability of the structure; the main function of the connecting components is to facilitate a stable connection with the anchor chain. Overall, the gravity anchor structure of this invention can effectively improve the horizontal bearing capacity of the gravity anchor, while being simple in structure, easy to process, and inexpensive to use. Attached Figure Description

[0015] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention or the prior art, the drawings used in the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0016] Figure 1 This is a front view schematic diagram of the gravity anchor structure of the present invention;

[0017] Figure 2 This is a top view of the gravity anchor structure of the present invention;

[0018] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the working principle of the gravity anchor structure of the present invention;

[0019] Figure 4 This is a front sectional view of the connecting component of the present invention;

[0020] Figure 5 This is a front sectional view of the auxiliary soil-binding part of the present invention;

[0021] Figure 6 This is a front sectional view of the soil-laying component of the present invention;

[0022] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the threaded rod of the present invention;

[0023] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram showing the connection between the gear and the spool of the present invention;

[0024] Figure 9 This is a top view of the tapered rod of the present invention;

[0025] Figure 10 This is a front sectional view of the drainage section of the present invention;

[0026] The components are as follows: 1. Pressure block; 2. External skirt; 3. Internal shear key; 4. Connecting ring; 5. Diagonal brace; 6. Seabed; 7. Anchor chain; 8. Upper floating structure; 9. Connecting shaft; 10. Lock; 11. Motor; 12. Threaded rod; 13. Threaded sleeve; 14. Stop block; 15. Slide groove; 16. Tapered rod; 17. Auxiliary rod sleeve; 18. Auxiliary rod; 19. Gear; 20. Cable groove; 21. Partition plate; 22. Borehole; 23. Through hole; 24. Water passage hole; 25. Water outlet pipe; 26. Rack. Detailed Implementation

[0027] The technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0028] To make the above-mentioned objects, features and advantages of the present invention more apparent and understandable, the present invention will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments.

[0029] Example 1:

[0030] Reference Figure 1-4 As shown, the present invention provides a novel gravity anchor structure, including a counterweight, an outer gripping part at the bottom of the counterweight, an inner gripping part between the outer gripping part and the counterweight, the outer gripping part and the inner gripping part being respectively disposed corresponding to the seabed 6, a plurality of connecting components being disposed on the outer gripping part, and one connecting component being disposed corresponding to the anchor chain 7.

[0031] The main function of the counterweight is to bear most of the vertical load required by the entire mooring system; the main function of the outer holding part is to cut the soil of the seabed 6, facilitating the sinking of the overall foundation of the gravity anchor structure; the main function of the inner holding part is to withstand the resistance of the seabed 6 soil, significantly improving the horizontal load-bearing capacity of the gravity anchor, while also being able to withstand horizontal loads transmitted in multiple directions by the anchor chain 7; the main function of the connecting component is to facilitate a stable connection with the anchor chain 7. Overall, the gravity anchor structure of this invention can effectively improve the horizontal load-bearing capacity of the gravity anchor, while also being simple in structure, easy to manufacture, and inexpensive to use.

[0032] The scheme is further optimized so that the counterweight part includes a pressure block 1, and the outer gripping part and the inner gripping part are fixedly connected to the bottom wall of the pressure block 1.

[0033] The scheme is further optimized. The outer gripping part includes an outer skirt 2, which is a cylindrical structure with open ends. The outer skirt 2 is vertically fixed to the bottom wall of the pressure block 1. The inner gripping part is set inside the outer skirt 2. Several connecting components are evenly spaced on the top of the outer peripheral side wall of the outer skirt 2.

[0034] The outer skirt 2 is connected to the upper pressure block 1. During the process of sinking into the soil of the seabed 6 under gravity, the outer skirt 2 can cut the soil, which facilitates the installation and sinking of the overall foundation. At the same time, the circular structure of the outer skirt 2 can have good interaction force with the seabed 6 in any direction.

[0035] The scheme is further optimized. The internal gripping part includes a number of vertically arranged internal shear keys 3. The internal shear keys 3 are evenly distributed around the central axis of the outer skirt 2. One side wall of each internal shear key 3 is fixedly connected to the other side wall. The other side wall of each internal shear key 3 is fixedly connected to the inner side wall of the outer skirt 2. The top of each internal shear key 3 is fixedly connected to the bottom of the pressure block 1.

[0036] During the sinking process of the gravity anchor structure of this invention, the internal shear keys 3 simultaneously penetrate into the soil of the seabed 6, thereby changing the traditional mechanism of horizontal bearing capacity of the gravity anchor. The gravity anchor is no longer subjected to frictional force provided by the soil, but rather to soil resistance, thus significantly increasing its horizontal bearing capacity. The internal shear keys 3 are evenly distributed and can withstand horizontal loads transmitted from the mooring line in multiple directions, improving the structure's applicability. The actual number of internal shear keys 3 can be determined based on the external loads and soil conditions in the actual project.

[0037] The scheme is further optimized. The connecting component includes two sets of connecting rings 4, and a connecting shaft 9 is rotatably connected between the two sets of connecting rings 4. The axis of the connecting shaft 9 is set vertically, and a lock 10 is fixedly connected to the circumferential side wall of the connecting shaft 9. The lock 10 is set correspondingly to the anchor chain 7.

[0038] The locking buckle 10 consists of two sets of connecting rods, through which a bolt can be inserted. The chain link at one end of the anchor chain 7 is placed between the two sets of connecting rods, and then the bolt is inserted to connect the anchor chain 7 to the gravity anchor of this invention. The connecting shaft 9 can twist between the two sets of connecting rings 4, thereby causing the locking buckle 10 to twist. Twisting the locking buckle 10 changes the angle between the anchor chain 7 and the gravity anchor, thus improving the stress distribution between the gravity anchor and the anchor chain 7.

[0039] In a further optimized design, several diagonal braces 5 are fixedly connected between the bottom of the pressure block 1 and the inner sidewall of the outer skirt 2, and between the sidewall of the inner shear key 3 and the bottom of the pressure block 1.

[0040] The main function of the diagonal brace 5 is to strengthen the connection between the upper pressure block 1 and the lower structure, while also improving the vertical stiffness of the overall structure.

[0041] Further optimization of the design: the material of block 1 is concrete.

[0042] The briquette 1 can also be made of steel blocks, scrap metal or other high-density materials.

[0043] The design was further optimized so that the outer skirt 2 and several inner shear keys 3 are made of steel plates.

[0044] The working process of this embodiment is as follows: After the gravity anchor of the present invention is loaded onto the ship, it is transported to the construction coordinate position. One end of the anchor chain 7 is connected to the locking buckle 10, and the other end of the anchor chain 7 is connected to the upper floating structure 8. The gravity anchor is vertically lifted using lifting equipment and finally placed on the mud surface of the seabed 6. Afterwards, the rigging on the gravity anchor is removed by divers or ROV. Under its own weight, the outer skirt 2 and the inner shear key 3 of the gravity anchor begin to penetrate into the soil. During the process of the gravity anchor penetrating the mud, the offset of the anchor needs to be controlled to ensure the verticality of the self-weight penetration into the mud. Finally, the gravity anchor is hammered to install it in place, ensuring that the pressure block 1 is above the mud surface and the outer skirt 2 and the inner shear key 3 are buried in the soil.

[0045] Example 2

[0046] Reference Figure 5-9 As shown, the difference between this embodiment and Embodiment 1 is only that an auxiliary soil-binding part is provided between the pressure block 1 and the inner shear key 3. The auxiliary soil-binding part includes a connecting cylinder embedded in the pressure block 1. The connecting cylinder is coaxially arranged with the outer skirt 2. The bottom surface of the connecting cylinder is flush with the bottom surface of the inner shear key 3. A motor 11 is vertically fixedly connected to the top inner side of the connecting cylinder. A threaded sleeve 13 is coaxially fixedly connected to the output shaft of the motor 11. A threaded rod 12 is threadedly connected to the threaded sleeve 13. Two sets of stop blocks 14 are symmetrically fixedly connected to the inner side wall of the connecting cylinder. Two sets of sliding grooves 15 are vertically symmetrically opened on the side wall of the threaded rod 12. The two sets of stop blocks 14 are slidably connected in the two sets of sliding grooves 15 respectively. A cone rod 16 is coaxially fixedly connected to the bottom of the threaded rod 12. The cone rod 16 is correspondingly arranged with the seabed 6. Several soil-binding components are respectively provided between several inner shear keys 3 and cone rods 16.

[0047] The soil-binding assembly includes an auxiliary rod sleeve 17 fixedly connected to the bottom of the inner shear key 3. A gear 19 is rotatably connected to one end of the auxiliary rod sleeve 17 near the conical rod 16. A rack 26 is vertically fixedly connected to the side wall of the conical rod 16, meshing with the gear 19. A spool 22 is coaxially fixedly connected to one side wall of the gear 19. A partition 21 is horizontally fixedly connected inside the auxiliary rod sleeve 17. An auxiliary rod 18 is slidably connected between the partition 21 and the inner bottom wall of the auxiliary rod sleeve 17. A wire groove 20 is formed on the side wall of the auxiliary rod 18. A through hole 23 is formed on the side of the partition 21 away from the conical rod 16. One end of a steel wire rope is fixedly connected to the side of the wire groove 20 near the conical rod 16. The other end of the steel wire rope passes through the through hole 23 and is wound around the spool 22.

[0048] The gravity anchor lifting cavity of the present invention is electrically connected to the motor 11 using a cable. After the gravity anchor of the present invention is installed in place, the motor 11 is energized to rotate, thereby driving the threaded sleeve 13 to rotate. Due to the limiting effect of the stop block 14 on the threaded rod 12, relative rotation occurs between the threaded sleeve 13 and the threaded rod 12. Under the action of threaded transmission, the threaded rod 12 moves downward along the stop block 14, and drives the cone rod 16 to move downward and embed itself into the mud of the seabed 6. At the same time as the cone rod 16 descends, several racks 26 on the cone rod 16 simultaneously drive several gears 19 to rotate. The rotation of the gears 19 drives the spool 22 to rotate. At the same time as the spool 22 rotates, the steel wire rope is tightened. The through hole 23 acts as a kind of fixed pulley, so that the steel wire rope pulls the auxiliary rod 18 out of the auxiliary rod sleeve 17 and embeds the auxiliary rod 18 into the mud of the seabed 6, making the shearing and destructive effect of the gravity anchor system on the soil greater, further increasing the horizontal load that the gravity anchor can withstand, and improving the horizontal bearing capacity of the overall anchoring system.

[0049] Example 3

[0050] Reference Figure 10 As shown, the difference between this embodiment and embodiment one is only that a drainage part is provided between the pressure block 1 and the inner shear key 3. The drainage part includes a water outlet pipe 25 embedded in the pressure block 1. The water outlet end of the water outlet pipe 25 penetrates the side wall of the pressure block 1, and the water inlet end of the water outlet pipe 25 penetrates the bottom of the pressure block 1. Several water passage holes 24 are respectively opened on the top of the side wall of the inner shear key 3.

[0051] Since the pressure block 1, outer skirt 2, inner shear key 3, and seabed 6 form a closed space, if a large amount of seawater exists in this closed space during the process of the gravity anchor penetrating the soil under its own weight and during the process of hammering the gravity anchor into place, it will be detrimental to the installation of the gravity anchor of the present invention. Several water passage holes 24 can connect the cavities divided by the inner shear key 3, allowing seawater to flow, and the water outlet pipe 25 can discharge the water in each cavity to the outside of the gravity anchor, thereby reducing the installation difficulty.

[0052] In the description of this invention, it should be understood that the terms "longitudinal", "lateral", "up", "down", "front", "rear", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inner", "outer", etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings, and are only for the convenience of describing this invention, and are not intended to indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be construed as a limitation of this invention.

[0053] The embodiments described above are merely preferred embodiments of the present invention and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. Various modifications and improvements made by those skilled in the art to the technical solutions of the present invention without departing from the spirit of the present invention should fall within the protection scope defined by the claims of the present invention.

Claims

1. A gravity anchor structure, characterized in that: Includes a counterweight, an outer gripping part is provided at the bottom of the counterweight, an inner gripping part is provided between the outer gripping part and the counterweight, the outer gripping part and the inner gripping part are respectively provided corresponding to the seabed (6), and a number of connecting components are provided on the outer gripping part, and one of the connecting components is provided corresponding to the anchor chain (7); The counterweight includes a pressure block (1), and the outer gripping part and the inner gripping part are respectively fixedly connected to the bottom wall of the pressure block (1); The outer gripping part includes an outer skirt (2), which is a cylindrical structure with open ends. The outer skirt (2) is vertically fixed to the bottom wall of the pressure block (1). The inner gripping part is located inside the outer skirt (2). Several connecting components are equally spaced on the top of the outer peripheral side wall of the outer skirt (2). The inner gripping part includes a plurality of vertically arranged inner shear keys (3), which are evenly distributed around the central axis of the outer skirt (2). One sidewall of each inner shear key (3) is fixedly connected to the other sidewall of the inner shear key (3), and the other sidewall of the inner shear key (3) is fixedly connected to the inner sidewall of the outer skirt (2). The top of each inner shear key (3) is fixedly connected to the bottom of the pressure block (1). An auxiliary soil-binding part is provided between the pressure block (1) and the inner shear key (3). The auxiliary soil-binding part includes a connecting cylinder embedded in the pressure block (1). The connecting cylinder is coaxially arranged with the outer skirt plate (2). The bottom surface of the connecting cylinder is flush with the bottom surface of the inner shear key (3). A motor (11) is vertically fixedly connected to the top inner side of the connecting cylinder. A threaded sleeve (13) is coaxially fixedly connected to the output shaft of the motor (11). A threaded rod is threadedly connected to the threaded sleeve (13). (12) Two sets of stop blocks (14) are symmetrically fixedly connected to the inner side wall of the connecting cylinder. Two sets of sliding grooves (15) are vertically symmetrically opened on the side wall of the threaded rod (12). The two sets of stop blocks (14) are slidably connected in the two sets of sliding grooves (15). A cone rod (16) is fixedly connected to the bottom of the threaded rod (12) along the same axis. The cone rod (16) is correspondingly set to the seabed (6). Several soil-binding components are respectively set between several internal shear keys (3) and the cone rod (16). The soil-binding assembly includes an auxiliary rod sleeve (17) fixedly connected to the bottom of the inner shear key (3). A gear (19) is rotatably connected to one end of the auxiliary rod sleeve (17) near the cone rod (16). A rack (26) is vertically fixedly connected to the side wall of the cone rod (16), and the rack (26) meshes with the gear (19). A spool (22) is coaxially fixedly connected to one side wall of the gear (19). A partition is horizontally fixedly connected inside the auxiliary rod sleeve (17). (21) An auxiliary rod (18) is slidably connected between the partition (21) and the inner bottom wall of the auxiliary rod sleeve (17). A wire groove (20) is provided on the side wall of the auxiliary rod (18). A through hole (23) is provided on the side of the partition (21) away from the cone rod (16). One end of a steel wire rope is fixedly connected to the side of the wire groove (20) near the cone rod (16). The other end of the steel wire rope passes through the through hole (23) and is wound around the spool (22).

2. The gravity anchor structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: The connecting assembly includes two sets of connecting rings (4), and a connecting shaft (9) is rotatably connected between the two sets of connecting rings (4). The axis of the connecting shaft (9) is vertically arranged, and a buckle (10) is fixedly connected to the circumferential side wall of the connecting shaft (9). The buckle (10) is correspondingly arranged with the anchor chain (7).

3. A gravity anchor structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: Several diagonal braces (5) are fixedly connected between the bottom of the pressure block (1) and the inner wall of the outer skirt (2), and between the side wall of the inner shear key (3) and the bottom of the pressure block (1).

4. A gravity anchor structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: The material of the pressing block (1) is concrete.

5. A gravity anchor structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: The outer skirt (2) and several inner shear keys (3) are made of steel plates.

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