A strong cutting submarine cable deep water burying plough with relay detector function

Abstract

This invention discloses a deep-water burial plow with repeater detection function for high-cutting submarine cables, comprising a frame, a plow blade mechanism, a submarine cable guiding mechanism, and a control system. The plow blade mechanism includes a plow blade holder and plow blades, with the plow blades mounted on the holder and the holder mounted on the frame. The submarine cable guiding mechanism is mounted on the frame to guide the submarine cable. A detection sensor is provided on the cable input side of the guiding mechanism, and a movable guide plate is provided on the cable output side. The movable guide plate is driven to swing by a power drive mechanism, which receives signals from the detection sensor to drive the movable guide plate to swing. The control system controls the operation of the burial plow. This invention controls the position change of the movable guide plate by detecting the presence of a repeater, allowing the repeater to pass smoothly and reducing drag resistance when burying the submarine cable without a repeater.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of submarine cable laying equipment technology, and in particular to a deep-water laying plow with repeater detection function for high-cutting submarine cables. Background Technology

[0002] A laying plough is used for laying submarine cables. It typically includes a frame, a plough mechanism, a cable guiding mechanism, a cable limiting mechanism, and a control system. The plough mechanism includes a plough frame and plough blades, with the blades mounted on the frame. The cable guiding mechanism includes a cable cage, a cable guide support, and a cable guide groove. The cable guide groove is located on the plough mechanism, usually on the plough frame. The cable cage and cable guide support are sequentially mounted on the frame, with the cable guide support positioned between the cable cage and the cable guide groove. The submarine cable passes through the cable cage, cable guide support, and cable guide groove before being laid in the trench dug by the plough. The cable limiting mechanism includes a drive component and a limiter. The limiter is hinged to the frame, and the drive component is connected to and drives the limiter to swing. The limiter is used to limit the submarine cable from deviating from the cable guide groove. The control system controls the operation of the laying plough.

[0003] When submarine cables break due to factors such as anchors, repeaters are needed to connect the broken cables. Repeaters are also necessary for long-distance cable laying, and their diameter is larger than that of the cable. However, in existing technologies, the probability of needing to pass through a repeater is relatively low. Therefore, to reduce the drag resistance of the laying plow, the size of the cable guide groove is usually set to match the diameter of the cable but smaller than the diameter of the repeater. In this case, the cable connecting the repeater cannot pass through. To solve this problem, existing technologies typically fix guide plates on both sides of the cable guide groove opening. The guide plates are perpendicular to the sidewall of the cable guide groove, i.e., the guide plates are horizontally positioned relative to the sidewall of the cable guide groove, so that the repeater passes through the plane of the guide plate. After the repeater passes, the cable still passes through the cable guide groove.

[0004] The defect of the buried plow repeater structure is that, since the guide plate is fixed to the cable groove opening and the guide plate is set perpendicular to the side wall of the cable groove, that is, the guide plate is set laterally relative to the side wall of the cable groove, the resistance of the deep-sea towed buried plow increases when only the submarine cable needs to pass through without the need for a repeater, thus increasing the configuration requirements of the towing vessel. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The present invention aims to at least partially solve one of the technical problems in the aforementioned technologies. Therefore, one objective of the present invention is to provide a deep-water burial plow with a repeater detection function, which controls the position change of the movable guide plate by detecting the presence of a repeater, allowing the repeater to pass smoothly, and reducing dragging resistance when burying the submarine cable without a repeater.

[0006] To achieve the above objectives, a first aspect of the present invention provides a deep-water burial plow with repeater detection function for high-strength submarine cable cutting, comprising:

[0007] frame;

[0008] A plow mechanism, comprising a plow holder and a plow blade, wherein the plow blade is mounted on the plow holder and the plow holder is mounted on a frame;

[0009] The submarine cable guiding mechanism is mounted on the frame to pass submarine cables. The submarine cable guiding mechanism has a detection sensor on the submarine cable input side and a movable guide plate on the submarine cable output side. The movable guide plate is driven to swing by a power drive mechanism. The power drive mechanism receives the signal from the detection sensor to drive the movable guide plate to swing.

[0010] A control system is used to control the operation of the burying plow.

[0011] According to an embodiment of the present invention, a deep-water burial plow for cutting submarine cables with a repeater detection function includes a detection sensor that transmits a signal to a power drive mechanism. The power drive mechanism, based on the signal received from the detection sensor, drives a movable guide plate to swing. When the detection sensor detects the passage of a repeater, the power drive mechanism actuates to swing the movable guide plate to a first position suitable for the repeater's passage, such as a lateral position, allowing the repeater to pass smoothly. After the repeater has passed, if the detection sensor does not detect any repeater passing, the power drive mechanism drives the movable guide plate to swing to a second position with less resistance, such as a vertical position. In this position, the dragging resistance of the burial plow is less than when the repeater passed. Therefore, the present invention controls the position change of the movable guide plate by detecting the presence of a repeater, allowing the repeater to pass smoothly and reducing dragging resistance when burying the submarine cable without a repeater.

[0012] In addition, the deep-water burial plow with repeater detection function for strong cutting of submarine cables proposed in the above embodiments of the present invention may also have the following additional technical features:

[0013] Optionally, the submarine cable guiding mechanism includes a cable guide cage, a cable guide bracket, and a cable guide groove; the cable guide groove is disposed on the plow mechanism, the cable guide cage and the cable guide bracket are sequentially disposed on the frame, and the cable guide bracket is located between the cable guide cage and the cable guide groove; the detection sensor is disposed on the submarine cable input side of the cable guide cage, a first movable guide plate is disposed on one side of the opening of the cable guide groove, and a second movable guide plate is disposed on the other side, the first movable guide plate and the second movable guide plate are respectively driven to swing by a power drive mechanism.

[0014] Specifically, the first movable guide plate is driven to swing by a first guide plate cylinder, which is fixed on the plow mechanism and its movable end is connected to the first movable guide plate; the second movable guide plate is driven to swing by a second guide plate cylinder, which is fixed on the plow mechanism and its movable end is connected to the second movable guide plate.

[0015] Furthermore, the cable guide groove is formed on the plow blade holder, which is formed by connecting two side plates, and the cable guide groove is formed between the two side plates; the first movable guide plate is hinged to the first side plate, and the second movable guide plate is hinged to the second side plate.

[0016] Furthermore, the first movable guide plate is capable of swinging between forming an angle with the first side plate and being on the same plane as the first side plate, and the second movable guide plate is capable of swinging between forming an angle with the second side plate and being on the same plane as the second side plate.

[0017] Preferably, the first movable guide plate is capable of swinging between being perpendicular to the first side plate and being in the same plane as the first side plate, and the second movable guide plate is capable of swinging between being perpendicular to the second side plate and being in the same plane as the second side plate.

[0018] Specifically, it also includes a submarine cable limiting mechanism, which includes a drive component and a limiter. The limiter is hinged to the frame, and the drive component is connected to the limiter and drives it to swing. The limiter is used to limit the submarine cable from deviating from the cable guide groove.

[0019] Optionally, the movable guide plate can swing between forming an angle with the plowshare and being in the same plane as the plowshare.

[0020] Specifically, the movable guide plate is capable of swinging between being perpendicular to the plowshare and being in the same plane as the plowshare.

[0021] Optionally, the control system receives signals from the detection sensor to control the operation of the power drive mechanism. Attached Figure Description

[0022] Figure 1 This is a three-dimensional assembly diagram of an embodiment of the present invention;

[0023] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of a submarine cable passing through an embodiment of the present invention;

[0024] Figure 3 This is a side view of the submarine cable according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0025] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of a submarine cable with a repeater according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0026] Figure 5This is a side view of a submarine cable with a repeater, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0027] Figure 6 This is another schematic diagram illustrating the submarine cable with a repeater according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0028] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of a submarine cable with a repeater passing through another angle, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0029] Label Explanation

[0030] Frame 1, Plow mechanism 2, Plow holder 21, First side plate 211, Second side plate 212, Plow blade 22, Submarine cable guiding mechanism 3, Cable guide cage 31, Cable guide bracket 32, Cable guide groove 33, Submarine cable limiting mechanism 4, Driving component 41, Limiter 42, Detection sensor 5, Movable guide plate 6, First movable guide plate 61, Second movable guide plate 62, Power drive mechanism 7, First guide plate cylinder 71, Second guide plate cylinder 72; Submarine cable 10, Repeater 20. Detailed Implementation

[0031] Embodiments of the present invention are described in detail below, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein the same or similar reference numerals denote the same or similar elements or elements having the same or similar functions throughout. The embodiments described below with reference to the accompanying drawings are exemplary and intended to explain the present invention, and should not be construed as limiting the present invention.

[0032] To better understand the above technical solutions, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Although exemplary embodiments of the present invention are shown in the drawings, it should be understood that the present invention can be implemented in various forms and should not be limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided to enable a more thorough understanding of the present invention and to fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art.

[0033] To better understand the above technical solutions, the following will provide a detailed explanation of the technical solutions in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and specific implementation methods.

[0034] like Figures 1 to 7 As shown in the figure, an embodiment of the present invention provides a deep-water burial plow with repeater detection function for high-cutting submarine cables, comprising a frame 1, a plow blade mechanism 2, a submarine cable guiding mechanism 3, a submarine cable limiting mechanism 4, and a control system. Generally, water depths of 300-1500 meters are considered deep water, and depths above 1500 meters are considered ultra-deep water.

[0035] The plow mechanism 2 includes a plow frame 21 and a plow blade 22. The plow blade 22 is mounted on the plow frame 21, and the plow frame 21 is mounted on the frame 1. The frame 1 is a non-watertight steel structure and is the main body of the burying plow. The plow blade 22 is used to dig trenches on the seabed for burying submarine cables.

[0036] The submarine cable guiding mechanism 3 is mounted on the frame 1 to guide the submarine cable 10, which is typically an electric cable. A detection sensor 5 is located on the submarine cable input side of the submarine cable guiding mechanism 3, and a movable guide plate 6 is located on the submarine cable output side. The movable guide plate 6 is driven to swing by a power drive mechanism 7, which receives signals from the detection sensor 5 to drive the movable guide plate 6 to swing. The detection sensor 5 can be a capacitive sensor.

[0037] In this embodiment, the submarine cable guiding mechanism 3 includes a cable guide cage 31, a cable guide bracket 32, and a cable guide groove 33. The cable guide groove 33 is disposed on the plow mechanism 2. The cable guide cage 31 and the cable guide bracket 32 ​​are sequentially disposed on the frame 1. The cable guide bracket 32 ​​is located between the cable guide cage 31 and the cable guide groove 33. A detection sensor 5 is disposed on the submarine cable input side of the cable guide cage 31. A first movable guide plate 61 is disposed on one side of the opening of the cable guide groove 33, and a second movable guide plate 62 is disposed on the other side. The first movable guide plate 61 and the second movable guide plate 62 are respectively driven to swing by the power drive mechanism 7.

[0038] Specifically, the first movable guide plate 61 is driven to swing by the first guide plate cylinder 71, which is fixed to the plow mechanism 2 and can be fixed to the plow frame 21 of the plow mechanism 2. The movable end of the first guide plate cylinder 71 is connected to the first movable guide plate 61. The second movable guide plate 62 is driven to swing by the second guide plate cylinder 72, which is fixed to the plow mechanism 2 and can be fixed to the plow frame 21 of the plow mechanism 2. The movable end of the second guide plate cylinder 72 is connected to the second movable guide plate 62.

[0039] The first movable guide plate 61 and the second movable guide plate 62 can be driven by the power drive mechanism 7 to swing together or swing away simultaneously. When the first movable guide plate 61 and the second movable guide plate 62 are not in a vertical state, the space between them can be adjusted to allow a repeater to pass through; that is, the space formed between the first movable guide plate 61 and the second movable guide plate 62 can accommodate a repeater. When the first movable guide plate 61 and the second movable guide plate 62 are in a vertical state, that is, when they are aligned with the plowshare holder 21, as... Figure 1 As shown, the width between the first movable guide plate 61 and the second movable guide plate 62 is approximately equal to the width of the cable guide groove 33. At this time, the resistance of the first movable guide plate 61 and the second movable guide plate 62 in cutting seawater is relatively small.

[0040] In some embodiments, a cable guide groove 33 is formed on a plowshare holder 21, which is formed by connecting two side plates, and the cable guide groove 33 is formed between the two side plates; a first movable guide plate 61 is hinged to a first side plate 211, and a second movable guide plate 62 is hinged to a second side plate 212.

[0041] The first movable guide plate 61 can swing between forming an angle with the first side plate 211 and being on the same plane as the first side plate 211. That is, when the first movable guide plate 61 is in a vertical state, the first movable guide plate 61 and the first side plate 211 are on the same plane. The second movable guide plate 62 can swing between forming an angle with the second side plate 212 and being on the same plane as the second side plate 212. That is, when the second movable guide plate 62 is in a vertical state, the second movable guide plate 62 and the second side plate 212 are on the same plane. When the first movable guide plate 61 forms an angle with the first side plate 211, and when the second movable guide plate 62 forms an angle with the second side plate 212, the first movable guide plate 61 and the second movable guide plate 62 are arranged at an acute angle, such as... Figure 6 As shown, a repeater can pass between the first movable guide plate 61 and the second movable guide plate 62.

[0042] Preferably, the first movable guide plate 61 is oscillating between being perpendicular to the first side plate 211 and being in the same plane as the first side plate 211. When the first movable guide plate 61 is perpendicular to the first side plate 211 (i.e., in a horizontal state), or when it is in the same plane as the first side plate 211 (i.e., in a vertical state), the second movable guide plate 62 is oscillating between being perpendicular to the second side plate 212 and being in the same plane as the second side plate 212. When the second movable guide plate 62 is perpendicular to the second side plate 212 (i.e., in a horizontal state), or when it is in the same plane as the second side plate 212 (i.e., in a vertical state), the second movable guide plate 62 is oscillating between being perpendicular to the second side plate 212 and being in the same plane as the second side plate 212 (i.e., in a vertical state).

[0043] When the first movable guide plate 61 is perpendicular to the first side plate 211 and the second movable guide plate 62 is perpendicular to the second side plate 212, the repeater 20 can pass through smoothly. When the first movable guide plate 61 and the first side plate 211 are on the same plane and the second movable guide plate 62 and the second side plate 212 are on the same plane, the drag resistance generated by the first movable guide plate 61 and the second movable guide plate 62 is minimized.

[0044] The control system is used to control the operation of the burying plow. Optionally, the control system receives signals from the detection sensor 5 to control the operation of the power drive mechanism 7. Specifically, when the detection sensor 5 detects the passage of a repeater 20, it transmits a signal to the control system. The control system controls the first guide plate cylinder 71 to drive the first movable guide plate 61 to swing to a non-vertical state, and simultaneously controls the second guide plate cylinder 72 to drive the second movable guide plate 62 to swing to a non-vertical state, allowing the repeater to pass between the first movable guide plate 61 and the second movable guide plate 62. When the detection sensor 5 does not detect the passage of a repeater 20, it transmits a signal to the control system. The control system controls the first guide plate cylinder 71 to drive the first movable guide plate 61 to swing to a vertical state, and simultaneously controls the second guide plate cylinder 72 to drive the second movable guide plate 62 to swing to a vertical state, allowing the submarine cable 10 to pass through the cable guide groove 33.

[0045] The submarine cable limiting mechanism 4 includes a drive member 41 and a limiter 42. The limiter 42 is hinged to the frame 1. The drive member 41 is connected to the limiter 42 and drives it to swing. The limiter 42 is used to limit the submarine cable 10 from deviating from the cable guide groove 33.

[0046] When the burying plow is working, the detection sensor 5 sends a signal to the power drive mechanism 7. The power drive mechanism 7, based on the signal received from the detection sensor 5, drives the movable guide plate 6 to swing. When the detection sensor 5 detects the passage of a repeater 20, the power drive mechanism 7 actuates, causing the movable guide plate 6 to swing to a first position suitable for the passage of the repeater 20, such as a lateral position, to allow the repeater 20 to pass smoothly. After the repeater 20 has passed, if the detection sensor 5 does not detect the passage of a repeater 20, the power drive mechanism 7 drives the movable guide plate 6 to swing to a second position with less resistance, such as a vertical position. Specifically, when the detection sensor 5 detects the passage of a repeater 20, it transmits a signal to the control system, which then controls the first guide plate 6 to swing. The hydraulic cylinder 71 drives the first movable guide plate 61 to swing to a non-vertical state, and at the same time controls the second guide plate cylinder 72 to drive the second movable guide plate 62 to swing to a non-vertical state. A repeater can pass between the first movable guide plate 61 and the second movable guide plate 62. When the detection sensor 5 does not detect the passage of the repeater 20, it transmits a signal to the control system. The control system controls the first guide plate cylinder 71 to drive the first movable guide plate 61 to swing to a vertical state, and at the same time controls the second guide plate cylinder 72 to drive the second movable guide plate 62 to swing to a vertical state. The submarine cable 10 passes through the cable guide groove 33. At this time, the dragging resistance generated by the first movable guide plate 61 and the second movable guide plate 62 of the burial plow is smaller than the dragging resistance when the repeater 20 passes through. Therefore, the present invention controls the position change of the movable guide plate 6 by detecting whether there is a repeater 20, so that the repeater 20 can pass smoothly. When the submarine cable is buried without the repeater 20 passing, the dragging resistance is small. That is, the dragging resistance generated by the first movable guide plate 61 and the second movable guide plate 62 is small when the submarine cable is buried.

[0047] In the description of this invention, it should be understood that the terms "center," "longitudinal," "lateral," "length," "width," "thickness," "upper," "lower," "front," "rear," "left," "right," "vertical," "horizontal," "top," "bottom," "inner," "outer," "clockwise," and "counterclockwise," etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are only for the convenience of describing this invention and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on this invention.

[0048] Furthermore, the terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of technical features indicated. Thus, a feature defined as "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of that feature. In the description of this invention, "a plurality of" means two or more, unless otherwise explicitly specified.

[0049] In this invention, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," "linking," and "fixing," etc., should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral part; they can refer to a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; they can refer to the internal communication of two components or the interaction between two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this invention according to the specific circumstances.

[0050] In this invention, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, "above" or "below" the second feature can include direct contact between the first and second features, or contact between the first and second features through another feature between them. Furthermore, "above," "over," and "on top" of the second feature includes the first feature directly above or diagonally above the second feature, or simply indicates that the first feature is at a higher horizontal level than the second feature. "Below," "below," and "under" the second feature includes the first feature directly below or diagonally below the second feature, or simply indicates that the first feature is at a lower horizontal level than the second feature.

[0051] In the description of this specification, the references to terms such as "one embodiment," "some embodiments," "example," "specific example," or "some examples," etc., indicate that a specific feature, structure, material, or characteristic described in connection with that embodiment or example is included in at least one embodiment or example of the invention. The illustrative expressions of the above terms in this specification should not be construed as necessarily referring to the same embodiment or example. Furthermore, the specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments or examples. In addition, those skilled in the art can combine and integrate the different embodiments or examples described in this specification.

[0052] Although embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described above, it is understood that the above embodiments are exemplary and should not be construed as limiting the present invention. Those skilled in the art can make changes, modifications, substitutions and variations to the above embodiments within the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A strong cutting submarine cable deep burial plow with a repeater detection function, characterized in that, include: frame; A plow mechanism, comprising a plow holder and a plow blade, wherein the plow blade is mounted on the plow holder and the plow holder is mounted on a frame; The submarine cable guiding mechanism is mounted on the frame to pass submarine cables. The submarine cable guiding mechanism has a detection sensor on the submarine cable input side and a movable guide plate on the submarine cable output side. The movable guide plate is driven to swing by a power drive mechanism. The power drive mechanism receives the signal from the detection sensor to drive the movable guide plate to swing. A control system is used to control the operation of the burying plow.

2. The strong cut submarine cable deep burial plow with a repeater detection function according to claim 1, characterized in that, The submarine cable guiding mechanism includes a cable guide cage, a cable guide bracket, and a cable guide groove. The cable guide groove is mounted on a plow mechanism. The cable guide cage and the cable guide bracket are sequentially mounted on the frame, with the cable guide bracket located between the cable guide cage and the cable guide groove. The detection sensor is mounted on the submarine cable input side of the cable guide cage. A first movable guide plate is mounted on one side of the opening of the cable guide groove, and a second movable guide plate is mounted on the other side. The first and second movable guide plates are driven to swing by a power drive mechanism.

3. The strong cut submarine cable deep burial plow with a repeater detection function according to claim 2, characterized in that, The first movable guide plate is driven to swing by a first guide plate cylinder, which is fixed on the plow mechanism and its movable end is connected to the first movable guide plate; the second movable guide plate is driven to swing by a second guide plate cylinder, which is fixed on the plow mechanism and its movable end is connected to the second movable guide plate.

4. The strong cut submarine cable deep burial plow with a repeater detection function according to claim 3, characterized in that, The cable guide groove is formed on the plow blade holder, which is formed by connecting two side plates, and the cable guide groove is formed between the two side plates; the first movable guide plate is hinged to the first side plate, and the second movable guide plate is hinged to the second side plate.

5. A deep-water burial plow with repeater detection function for high-strength submarine cables as described in claim 4, characterized in that, The first movable guide plate can swing between forming an angle with the first side plate and being in the same plane as the first side plate, and the second movable guide plate can swing between forming an angle with the second side plate and being in the same plane as the second side plate.

6. A strong cut submarine cable deep burial plow with a repeater detection function as claimed in claim 5, characterized in that, The first movable guide plate is capable of swinging between being perpendicular to the first side plate and being in the same plane as the first side plate, and the second movable guide plate is capable of swinging between being perpendicular to the second side plate and being in the same plane as the second side plate.

7. The strong cut submarine cable deep burial plow with a repeater detection function of claim 2, wherein, It also includes a submarine cable limiting mechanism, which includes a drive component and a limiter. The limiter is hinged to the frame, and the drive component is connected to the limiter and drives it to swing. The limiter is used to limit the submarine cable from deviating from the cable guide groove.

8. The strong cut submarine cable deep burial plow with a repeater detection function of claim 1, wherein, The movable guide plate can swing between forming an angle with the plowshare and being on the same plane as the plowshare.

9. The strong cut submarine cable deep burial plow with a repeater detection function according to claim 8, characterized in that, The movable guide plate can swing between being perpendicular to the plowshare and being in the same plane as the plowshare.

10. A deep-water burial plow with repeater detection function for high-strength submarine cables as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The control system receives signals from the detection sensors to control the operation of the power drive mechanism.

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