A deck support arrangement for shallow water platform module float-over installation

Abstract

A deck support device for shallow water platform module float-over installation, comprising a slide, a slide shoe, a buffer assembly, a support assembly and a diagonal brace, etc. The support assembly is a split structure, which is connected by electromagnetic suction cups and inserts. The top of the buffer assembly can be connected with the inserts. The load of the platform module is transmitted to the barge through the double-cone contact surface of the support assembly and the buffer assembly. This design can provide higher stability during the operation process. The buffer assembly further provides necessary buffering during the load transfer process of the platform module, avoiding rigid collision. During the float-over installation barge withdrawal process, the platform module can be quickly separated through the split structure of the support assembly. Meanwhile, the gap between the barge and the platform module is increased after the separation of the insert of the support assembly, ensuring the safe withdrawal of the float-over barge and greatly shortening the offshore operation time.

Description

Technical fields:

[0001] This invention relates to the field of marine platform installation technology, and in particular to a deck support device for floating installation of platform modules in shallow water. Background technology:

[0002] With the deepening development of offshore oil and gas resources, offshore platforms are developing towards larger and more intensive designs, leading to an increase in the overall weight of the platform's superstructure modules. These large platforms employ modular hoisting or floating installation for their superstructure modules. Modular hoisting methods are limited by the external marine environment, the load capacity of the floating crane, and the water depth conditions of the construction area, resulting in long construction periods and poor economic efficiency. Therefore, large offshore platforms often use the barge floating installation method for overall installation. The floating installation method is a method for installing large modules at sea, characterized by low cost, short operation time, large lifting capacity, and safe and convenient operation. A key process in the floating installation method is transferring the load of the offshore platform module from the barge to the platform legs at sea, requiring a buffer support device between the platform module and the barge. However, when using the floating installation method in shallow waters such as shallow beaches, it is difficult to maintain a safe clearance between the barge and the platform, and between the barge and the seabed, during the barge's retreat. Therefore, it is necessary to make targeted improvements to the support device to provide effective space for the floating installation vessel in shallow waters and ensure the safe retreat of the floating barge. Summary of the Invention:

[0003] The purpose of this invention is to overcome the shortcomings of the prior art and provide a deck support device for the floating installation of platform modules in shallow waters. This device can reduce the impact load between the platform module and the support structure on the barge deck, and can also increase the clearance between the barge and the platform module, thus ensuring the safe retraction of the floating barge.

[0004] The technical solution of this invention is as follows:

[0005] A deck support device for floating installation of platform modules in shallow water includes: a slide rail fixed parallel to a barge, a slip shoe installed on the slide rail, a buffer assembly fixed on the slip shoe, and a support assembly for supporting the platform module.

[0006] When the barge is floating, the support component supports the platform block, and the bottom of the support component is connected to the top of the buffer component; the side of the buffer component and the platform block above it are provided with several diagonal braces A.

[0007] Furthermore, the support component is a split structure, consisting of an upper support leg and a lower plug-in connected by an electromagnetic chuck in the middle; the plug-in is in the shape of an inverted truncated cone, and can be inserted into the top of the buffer component when the support component and the buffer component are in the docking state.

[0008] Furthermore, the buffer assembly includes: a deck support, leaf springs, and an outer cylinder; the deck support is located in the center of the buffer assembly, and a plurality of leaf springs for buffering loads are evenly installed on the outer side of the deck support along the circumference, the height of the deck support being slightly lower than that of the leaf springs; the outer cylinder is fitted around the annular array of leaf springs, and a stiffener and a (radially retractable) compression spring are inserted in the gap between the outer cylinder and each leaf spring, the compression spring being located on the upper part of the stiffener.

[0009] Furthermore, the leaf spring has an inclined top end face; the top end face (i.e., the inclined top surface) of each leaf spring faces the center of its annular array; in the docked state of the support assembly and the buffer assembly, the bottom of the plug is inserted into the top of the deck support, and the annular contact surface formed by the top end faces of all the leaf springs fits against the outer conical surface of the plug.

[0010] During the docking process of the support assembly and the buffer assembly, the top of the leaf spring and the outer peripheral conical surface of the plug contact and bear part of the load from the platform block. This process causes the upper part of all leaf springs to bend slightly towards the outer cylinder and causes the compression spring to be in a compressed state, thereby playing an auxiliary buffering role against the load. At the same time, the ribs at the bottom of the leaf spring limit the deformation range of the leaf spring.

[0011] To further increase stability and reliability during docking, the top end face of the deck support is provided with a protrusion, and the bottom end face of the plug is provided with a recess that allows the protrusion to be inserted and form a tight fit.

[0012] Preferably, the protrusion at the top of the deck support is frustum-shaped, and the recess at the bottom of the insert has a funnel-shaped recessed surface that can fit tightly with the surface of the protrusion.

[0013] Furthermore, in the barge floating state, several diagonal braces B are fixedly connected between the radial sides of the slipper and the barge deck, and the diagonal braces B are symmetrically distributed on the radial sides of the slipper.

[0014] Furthermore, the upper or top part of the plug-in is provided with a lifting lug.

[0015] Furthermore, the top end face of the leaf spring is covered with a rubber layer.

[0016] Furthermore, a wooden pad is provided between the contact surfaces of the slipper and the track; slippers on the same track are connected by a tie rod.

[0017] The shallow-water platform module floating support device provided by this invention transfers the load of the platform module to the barge through the double-conical surface between the lower insert of the support component and the deck pillar of the buffer component during the floating installation process. This design provides higher stability during the operation. During the load transfer process, the buffer component further provides necessary cushioning to avoid rigid collisions. During the unloading process, the platform module can be quickly separated through the split structure of the support component. Simultaneously, the separation of the support component insert increases the gap between the barge and the platform module, ensuring the safe unloading of the floating barge and significantly shortening the time spent at sea. This invention effectively reduces the water depth requirements for floating technology in shallow waters and can also avoid or reduce the amount of dredging work in shallow waters, significantly reducing construction costs and operation time. Furthermore, the device of this invention can be reused. Attached image description:

[0018] Figure 1 This is a front view of the deck support device for the shallow water platform module floating installation of the present invention in its service state (barge floating state).

[0019] Figure 2 This is a side view of the invention in its working state.

[0020] Figure 3 This is a top view of the buffer component.

[0021] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of a structure where the support components and the buffer components are in a separated state.

[0022] Figure 5 This is a structural diagram showing the support component and the buffer component in a docked state.

[0023] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the structure where the support legs and plug-in of the support component are in a separated state.

[0024] The components are: 1. Barge, 2. Slipway, 3. Slipper, 4. Buffer assembly, 5. Support assembly, 6. Platform block, 7. Wooden pad block, 8. Tie rod, 31. Diagonal brace B, 41. Deck pillar, 42. Leaf spring, 43. Rib plate, 44. Compression spring, 45. Outer cylinder, 46. Rubber layer, 47. Diagonal brace A, 51. Support leg, 52. Insert, 53. Electromagnetic chuck, 54. Lifting lug, 55. Steel wire rope. Detailed implementation method:

[0025] The technical solution of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0026] like Figure 1 , 2As shown, the present invention provides a deck support device for floating installation of platform modules in shallow water, comprising: at least two parallel slides 2 fixed on a barge 1, a plurality of sliding shoes 3 provided on each slide 2 that can slide along the slide 2, a plurality of buffer components 4 fixed on each sliding shoe 3, and a support component 5 for supporting the platform module 6.

[0027] The structure of the support component 5 is as follows: Figure 4 , 5 The split structure shown is formed by the upper support leg 51 and the lower plug 52 being connected by an electromagnetic chuck 53 in the middle; the plug 52 is in the shape of an inverted truncated cone and can be inserted into the top of the buffer component 4 when the support component 5 and the buffer component 4 are in the docking state.

[0028] In the barge floating or operational state, the support component 6 supports the platform block 6, and the support component 5 is connected to the top of the buffer component 4 via a plug 52; several diagonal braces A47 are provided between the side of the buffer component 4 and the platform block 6 above it. Figure 5 (As shown).

[0029] like Figure 3 , 4 As shown, the buffer assembly 4 includes: a deck support 41, leaf springs 42, and an outer cylinder 45; the deck support 41 is located in the center of the buffer assembly 4, and its top end face is provided with a frustum-shaped protrusion. Several leaf springs 42 for buffering (platform block) loads are evenly installed on the outer side of the deck support 41 along the circumference. The height of the deck support 41 is slightly lower than that of the leaf springs 42; the outer cylinder 45 is fitted around the annular array formed by the leaf springs 42. A stiffening plate 43 and a radially expandable compression spring 44 are inserted into the gap between the outer cylinder 45 and each leaf spring 42. The compression spring 44 is located on the upper part of the stiffening plate 43; the bottom end face of the insert 52 of the support assembly 5 has a flared recess that can cooperate with the protrusion on the top of the deck support 41.

[0030] The leaf spring 42 has an inclined top end face; the top end face (i.e., the inclined top face) of each leaf spring 42 faces the center of its annular array; when the support assembly 5 and the buffer assembly 4 are mated, the plug 52 is inserted into the center of the top of the buffer assembly 4, and the protrusion at the top of the deck support 41 is inserted into the recess at the bottom end face of the plug 52, thus achieving the insertion of the two; at the same time, the annular contact surface formed by the top end faces (i.e., the inclined faces facing the center of the annular array) of all the leaf springs 42 fits against the outer conical surface of the plug 52. Figure 5 (As shown). In order to achieve a tighter fit between the top of the annular array of leaf springs 42 and the outer conical surface of the plug-in 52, the top end face of each leaf spring 42 is a slightly concave, curved surface that can be matched with the outer conical surface of the plug-in 52 as a whole.

[0031] During the docking process of the support assembly 5 and the buffer assembly 4, the top of the leaf spring 42 contacts the outer conical surface of the plug 52 and bears part of the load from the platform block 6. This process causes the upper part of all leaf springs 42 (along the radial direction of the outer cylinder 5) to bend slightly towards the outer cylinder 5, and causes the compression spring 44 to be in a compressed state, thereby playing an auxiliary buffering role on the load. At the same time, the rib 43 at the bottom of the leaf spring 42 limits the deformation range of the leaf spring 42.

[0032] In addition, when the barge is in a floating state, several diagonal braces B31 are fixedly connected between the radial sides of the slipper 3 and the deck of the barge 1. The diagonal braces B31 are symmetrically distributed on both radial sides of the slipper, thereby further increasing the stability and safety of the entire support device.

[0033] To facilitate the separation of the plug-in 52 and the support leg 51, a lifting lug 54 can be added to the upper part or top of the plug-in 52 to provide a lifting point after separation. In this specific embodiment, the lifting lug 54 is installed on the top of the plug-in 52. During use... Figure 6 As shown: The lifting equipment prefabricated at the bottom of platform block 6 is used to connect the lifting lug 54 through the wire rope 55. While tightening the wire rope 55, the electromagnetic chuck 53 is controlled to separate the support leg 51 from the plug-in 52. After separation, 52 is lowered to the barge deck by the lifting equipment.

[0034] like Figure 4 , 5 As shown, the top end face of the leaf spring 42 is covered with a rubber layer 46 to further increase the cushioning capacity and reduce wear during the docking process of the support assembly 5 and the cushioning assembly 4.

[0035] like Figure 1 , 2 As shown, a wooden pad 7 is provided between the contact surfaces of the sliding shoe 3 and the slide rail 2 to further reduce the friction between the sliding shoe 3 and the slide rail 2. The sliding shoes 3 on the same slide rail 2 are connected by a tie rod 8 to increase the stability and safety of the entire sliding system.

[0036] The process of using this invention is as follows:

[0037] 1) Based on the size and weight of platform block 6, select sliding shoe 3, buffer assembly 4, and support assembly 5. Install sliding shoe 3 on slide 2 and weld or hinge tie rod 8 to connect sliding shoe 3. Then weld and fix sliding shoe 3 to buffer assembly 4 and weld support assembly 5 to platform block 6. At the same time, weld diagonal brace A47 to reinforce support assembly 5.

[0038] 2) Lift platform block 6 and support component 5, drag slipper 3 and buffer component 4 to below platform block 6, align support component 5 with buffer component 4 below it, and lower platform block 6 to complete land docking.

[0039] 3) Drag the above-mentioned support device and platform block after docking onto the barge 1, and weld the diagonal brace B31 to fix the slipper 3.

[0040] 4) The upper support device and platform module are transported to the designated location by barge 1 at sea and the barge 1 is moored; the electromagnetic chuck 53 of the support component 5 is controlled so that the upper support leg 51 and the lower conical plug 51 are still in an adsorbed state.

[0041] 5) Cut the diagonal brace 47 and begin the floating installation. As the draft of barge 1 increases, the load on platform module 6 gradually shifts to the jacket, and the support assembly 5 gradually separates from the buffer assembly 4 until all the load on platform module 6 is transferred to the jacket. During the transfer process, in addition to the load from platform module 6, the buffer assembly 4 can also effectively reduce the vertical and radial impact forces brought about by wind and wave environmental factors.

[0042] 6) Using the prefabricated electric hoist or other lifting equipment at the bottom of platform module 6, the lifting lugs 54 on the plug 52 are connected via wire rope 55. The wire rope 55 is tightened, and the electromagnetic chuck 53 is controlled to separate the upper support leg 51 from the lower plug 52. The plug 52 is then lowered onto the deck of barge 1 using the lifting equipment. The rapid separation of the plug 52 increases the gap between barge 1 and platform module 6, effectively reducing the water depth requirements for shallow-water floating operations. This facilitates the safe and rapid return of the floating barge in shallow waters, significantly shortening the operation time.

[0043] 7) Transport the aforementioned deck support devices back to the land site, clean and recycle them for future use.

[0044] Obviously, the above embodiments are merely illustrative examples for clear explanation and are not intended to limit the implementation. Those skilled in the art will recognize that other variations or modifications can be made based on the above description. It is neither necessary nor possible to exhaustively list all possible implementations here. However, obvious variations or modifications derived therefrom are still within the scope of protection of this invention.

Claims

1. A deck support device for floating installation of platform modules in shallow water, comprising: The slide rails fixed parallel to the barge, the skids installed on the slide rails, the buffer components fixed on the skids, and the support components for supporting the platform modules; When the barge is in a floating state, the support component supports the platform block, and the bottom of the support component is connected to the top of the buffer component; several diagonal braces A are provided between the side of the buffer component and the platform block above it; The support assembly is a split structure, consisting of an upper support leg and a lower plug-in connected by an electromagnetic chuck in the middle; the plug-in is in the shape of an inverted truncated cone and can be inserted into the top of the buffer assembly when the support assembly and the buffer assembly are in the docking state. The buffer assembly includes: deck pillars, leaf springs, and an outer cylinder; the deck pillars are located in the center of the buffer assembly, and a number of leaf springs for buffering loads are evenly installed on the outer side of the deck pillars along the circumference, and the height of the deck pillars is slightly lower than that of the leaf springs; the outer cylinder is fitted around the annular array of leaf springs, and a stiffener and a compression spring are inserted in the gap between the outer cylinder and each leaf spring, with the compression spring located on the upper part of the stiffener.

2. The deck support device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The leaf springs have inclined top end faces; the top end face of each leaf spring faces the center of its annular array; in the docked state of the support assembly and the buffer assembly, the bottom of the insert is inserted into the top of the deck support, and the annular contact surface formed by the top end faces of all the leaf springs fits against the outer conical surface of the insert.

3. The deck support device according to claim 2, characterized in that: The top end face of the deck support has a protrusion, and the bottom end face of the insert has a recess that allows the protrusion to be inserted and form a tight fit.

4. The deck support device according to claim 3, characterized in that: The protrusion at the top of the deck support is truncated cone-shaped, and the recess at the bottom of the insert has a funnel-shaped recessed surface that can fit tightly with the surface of the protrusion.

5. The deck support device according to claim 4, characterized in that: When the barge is in a floating state, several diagonal braces B are fixedly connected between the radial sides of the slipper and the barge deck, and the diagonal braces B are symmetrically distributed on the radial sides of the slipper.

6. The deck support device according to claim 5, characterized in that: The plug is provided with a lug at the top or top.

7. The deck support device according to claim 6, characterized in that: The top end face of the leaf spring is covered with a rubber layer.

8. The deck support device according to claim 7, characterized in that: Wooden pads are provided between the contact surfaces of the slipper and the track; slippers on the same track are connected by a tie rod.

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