A floating anchor line underwater release device and method of use

Abstract

The application provides a floating anchor cable underwater release device and a use method. The device comprises an anchor body, the anchor body has a mounting cavity with an open top end, a center column is fixedly arranged at the center of the bottom surface in the mounting cavity; a plurality of cable winding assemblies, each cable winding assembly is composed of two vertically and spaced cable clamps, the plurality of cable winding assemblies are vertically and fixedly arranged in the mounting cavity along the radial direction of the center column at equal intervals, the cable winding assembly is used for regularly winding the anchor cable in the cable winding assembly; a cable releasing assembly, the cable releasing assembly comprises a rotating arm and a first guide assembly, one end of the rotating arm is rotationally connected to the upper end of the center column, the first guide assembly is slidably arranged on the rotating arm and can move on the rotating arm along the radial direction of the anchor body, and the first guide assembly is used for guiding the starting end of the anchor cable from the cable winding assembly to the outside of the anchor body. The device disclosed by the application can effectively reduce the winding and knotting of the anchor cable in the release process through the uniform and orderly cable winding design of the cable winding assembly and the accurate control of the cable releasing assembly.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of underwater equipment technology, and in particular to an underwater release device for a floating anchor cable and its usage method. Background Technology

[0002] Anchors are a crucial component of underwater mooring platforms, enabling them to anchor on the seabed and maintain a specific depth, allowing them to perform underwater operations. Traditionally, underwater mooring platforms use steel wire ropes as anchor cables. Because steel wire ropes exhibit negative buoyancy in water, their overall weight becomes substantial after reaching a certain length, requiring the platform to possess significant buoyancy to offset the wet weight of the anchor cable. However, using flexible floating anchor cables instead of steel wire ropes can significantly reduce the anchor cable's weight while still meeting strength requirements, thereby lowering the buoyancy requirements for the underwater mooring platform.

[0003] Because of their high flexibility and buoyancy, flexible anchor cables are prone to bending and twisting in the water during underwater release. This physical characteristic makes them susceptible to knotting or tangling without proper guidance and control. Summary of the Invention

[0004] In view of this, the present invention proposes an underwater release device and method for floating anchor cables to effectively avoid the occurrence of knotting during the underwater release of flexible floating anchor cables.

[0005] The technical solution of this invention is implemented as follows:

[0006] In a first aspect, the present invention provides an underwater release device for a floating anchor cable, comprising:

[0007] An anchor body, the anchor body having a mounting cavity with an opening at the top, and a central column fixedly installed at the center of the bottom surface inside the mounting cavity;

[0008] Multiple cable coiling assemblies are provided, and the multiple cable coiling assemblies are evenly and fixedly distributed in the installation cavity around the central column. Each cable coiling assembly includes multiple cable clamp groups, each cable clamp group consisting of two vertically spaced cable clamps. The multiple cable clamp groups are vertically and fixedly arranged at equal intervals in the installation cavity along the radial direction of the central column. The spacing between the two cable clamps in each cable clamp group is adapted to the diameter of the anchor cable. The cable clamp groups are used to allow the anchor cable to be coiled in the cable coiling assembly in a regular manner.

[0009] The cable laying assembly includes a rotating arm and a first guide assembly. One end of the rotating arm is rotatably connected to the upper end of the central column, and the other end of the rotating arm extends horizontally above the cable coiling assembly. The first guide assembly is slidably disposed on the rotating arm and can move on the rotating arm in the radial direction of the anchor body. The first guide assembly is used to guide the starting end of the anchor cable from the cable coiling assembly to the outside of the anchor body.

[0010] Based on the above technical solution, preferably, the bottom end of the central column is provided with an annular groove for fixing the coiled end of the anchor cable.

[0011] Furthermore, preferably, at least one elastic element is provided at the upper end of two adjacent cable clamp groups along the height direction of the cable clamp, and the two ends of the elastic element are fixedly connected to the outer side wall of the cable clamp respectively.

[0012] Furthermore, preferably, the inner walls of the upper ends of the two cable clips in each cable clip group are provided with at least one inwardly protruding snap-fit ​​portion along the height direction, and the distance between the snap-fit ​​portions of the two cable clips is less than the diameter of the anchor cable.

[0013] Based on the above technical solution, preferably, the rotating arm has a strip-shaped through hole, and the inner wall of the strip-shaped through hole is provided with guide rails along its length direction. The first guiding assembly includes a sliding frame, a first rolling group, and a second rolling group. The side wall of the sliding frame is provided with a sliding groove connected to the guide rail. The first rolling group includes two first rollers arranged parallel to each other in the horizontal direction. The second rolling group includes two second rollers arranged parallel to each other in the horizontal direction. The two second rollers are located directly below the two first rollers, and the first rollers and second rollers are arranged perpendicularly. The length direction of the second rollers is parallel to the length direction of the sliding groove. The first rollers and second rollers are rotatably connected to the sliding frame. The first rolling group and the second rolling group form a channel in the vertical direction for the initial end of the anchor cable to pass through and be guided to the outside of the anchor body.

[0014] Furthermore, preferably, the cable-laying assembly further includes a second guide assembly, which includes a fixed seat and a third rolling assembly. The fixed seat is fixedly disposed at one end of the rotating arm near the central column, and the third rolling assembly includes two parallel and spaced rollers. The two rollers are horizontally rotatably disposed within the fixed seat, and the rotation direction of the two rollers is the same as the rotation direction of the first roller. The two rollers are used to allow the initial end of the anchor cable to pass through and guide it to the outside of the anchor body.

[0015] Preferably, a lifting lug is fixedly provided at the center of the top of the central column.

[0016] Preferably, the outer wall of the cable clip near the central column and the outer wall of the cable clip away from the central column in the cable coil assembly are both provided with reinforcing ribs.

[0017] Preferably, a fixed column is provided at the top of the central column, and the rotating arm is rotatably connected to the fixed column through a bearing.

[0018] Secondly, this invention discloses a method for using a floating anchor cable underwater release device, comprising the following steps:

[0019] Step 1: Fix the coiled end of the flexible anchor cable in the annular groove, and coil it on the cable coiling assembly according to a certain coiling pattern to obtain the coiled cable.

[0020] Step 2: Pass the remaining length of anchor cable through the first guide assembly to form a deployment cable, and fix the starting cable head to the anchoring mechanism of the offshore platform.

[0021] Step 3: When the anchor body separates from the anchoring mechanism of the offshore platform, under the combined action of the positive buoyancy of the offshore platform and the negative buoyancy of the anchor body, the anchor body and the offshore platform begin to move away from each other, causing the initial cable head to bear tensile load. At this time, the coiled cable begins to gradually detach from the coiling assembly in the reverse order of the coiling pattern to form the deployment cable. The deployment cable forces the cable release assembly to rotate, and at the same time forces the first guide assembly to move back and forth on the rotating arm to achieve the orderly and smooth release of the coiled cable.

[0022] The present invention has the following advantages over the prior art:

[0023] (1) The floating anchor cable underwater release device disclosed in this invention, at the start of release, the initial cable head of the anchor cable bears the tension first. This tension starts from the fixed point and gradually affects the entire anchor cable, maintaining the order and continuity of the release process. The release sequence of the coiled cable is carried out in the reverse order of its original coiling, so that the anchor cable can be gradually and continuously unfolded, avoiding kinking caused by rapid or disorderly release. As the anchor cable is released, the rotating arm and the first guide assembly in the cable release assembly rotate and move accordingly. The rotating arm rotates around the central column, causing the first guide assembly to move back and forth along the rotating arm, dynamically adjusting its position according to the needs of anchor cable release. This rotation and movement ensures that the anchor cable can be smoothly guided outward from the cable coiling assembly on a fixed radial path, reducing possible knotting and twisting of the anchor cable.

[0024] (2) At least one elastic element is provided at the upper end of the cable clamp between two adjacent cable clamp groups along the height direction of the cable clamp, and the two ends of the elastic element are fixedly connected to the outer side wall of the cable clamp. With this configuration, in the initial state, the two ends of the elastic element do not apply horizontal force to the cable clamp. At this time, the gap between the upper ends of the two cable clamps in the cable clamp group maintains a suitable distance to facilitate the passage of the anchor cable. When the anchor cable is coiled to the upper end in the installation cavity, due to the action of the elastic element, the anchor cable cannot move towards the elastic element by squeezing the cable clamp, thus increasing the gap between the cable clamps. Therefore, the anchor cable will not cross after being coiled at the upper end of the cable clamp.

[0025] (3) By providing at least one inwardly protruding locking part on the inner wall of the upper end of two cable clamps in each cable clamp group along the height direction, the distance between the locking parts of the two cable clamps is less than the diameter of the anchor cable. This arrangement allows the anchor cable to be kept inside the cable clamp according to the coiling pattern and not to naturally unravel.

[0026] (4) By setting up the second guiding assembly, the two parallel rollers of the third rolling group provide a direct and parallel guiding path for the anchor cable, allowing the anchor cable to be drawn out vertically near the center of the anchor body. This structural arrangement ensures that the anchor cable remains near the central axis of the anchor body during release, reducing torque and sway caused by the anchor cable deviating from the center. Since the anchor cable is effectively guided by the horizontal rotation of the two rollers, the lateral sway or rotation of the anchor body during sinking is significantly controlled. This control not only reduces the twisting or entanglement of the anchor cable caused by dynamic instability, but also makes the sinking of the anchor body more stable. Attached Figure Description

[0027] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention or the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art 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.

[0028] Figure 1 This is a three-dimensional structural schematic diagram of the underwater release device for the floating anchor cable disclosed in this invention.

[0029] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the cable reeling assembly, cable laying assembly, and anchor cable assembly structure disclosed in this invention.

[0030] Figure 3 This is a top view of the underwater release device for the floating anchor cable disclosed in this invention;

[0031] Figure 4 This is a planar sectional view of the underwater release device for the floating anchor cable disclosed in this invention;

[0032] Figure 5 for Figure 4 Enlarged view of a portion of point A in the middle;

[0033] Figure 6 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of the cable-laying assembly disclosed in this invention;

[0034] Figure label:

[0035] 1. Anchor body; 10. Mounting cavity; 11. Central column; 2. Cable coiling assembly; 20. Cable clamp group; 201. Cable clamp; S. Anchor cable; 3. Cable release assembly; 31. Rotating arm; 32. First guide assembly; 110. Annular groove; 21. Elastic element; 2011. Snap-fit ​​part; 311. Strip-shaped through hole; 3111. Guide rail; 321. Sliding frame; 322. First rolling group; 323. Second rolling group; 3211. Slide groove; 3221. First roller; 3231. Second roller; 33. Second guide assembly; 331. Fixed seat; 332. Third rolling group; 3321. Roller; 111. Lifting lug; P. Reinforcing rib; 112. Fixed column; S1. Coiled cable; S2. Unwinding cable. Detailed Implementation

[0036] The technical solutions of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the embodiments of the present invention. Obviously, the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of the present invention, and not all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0037] like Figure 1 As shown, combined with Figure 2-5 The present invention discloses an underwater release device for a floating anchor cable S, comprising an anchor body 1, a cable coiling assembly 2, and a cable release assembly 3.

[0038] The anchor body 1 is the main body of the release device. The anchor body 1 has an installation cavity 10 with an opening at the top. The installation cavity 10 is used to provide storage space for the anchor cable S to be coiled. A central column 11 is fixedly installed at the center of the bottom surface inside the installation cavity 10. The central column 11 provides a foundation for connecting with the anchoring mechanism of the offshore platform on the one hand, and on the other hand, it is used to provide an installation foundation for the cable laying assembly 3.

[0039] In this embodiment, the anchor body 1 has a cylindrical structure, and the mounting cavity 10 is an annular cavity inside the anchor body 1, so that the anchor cable S can be coiled around the central column 11 inside the mounting cavity 10.

[0040] Multiple cable coil assemblies 2 are provided, and are evenly distributed around the central post 11 in the mounting cavity 10. In this embodiment, the number of cable coil assemblies 2 is at least three. By increasing the number of cable coil assemblies 2, the anchor cable S can be more evenly distributed on each cable coil assembly 2. This even distribution helps maintain the balance of the entire release device, reducing the problem of the anchor cable S being concentrated in a few points during underwater operation, which can cause the release process to be unsmooth. It can also prevent the entire release device from swaying or becoming unstable. In addition, more cable coil assemblies 2 allow the tension of the anchor cable S to be distributed at more points, which can prevent the anchor cable S from bearing excessive pressure at a certain point, thereby reducing the risk of damage or breakage of the anchor cable S due to excessive pressure.

[0041] The cable coiling assembly 2, used to coil the anchor cable S in the mounting cavity 10, includes multiple cable clamp groups 20. Each cable clamp group 20 consists of two vertically spaced cable clamps 201. The multiple cable clamp groups 20 are vertically fixed in the mounting cavity 10 at equal intervals along the radial direction of the central column 11. The distance between the two cable clamps 201 in each cable clamp group 20 is adapted to the diameter of the anchor cable S. The cable clamp groups 20 are used to allow the anchor cable S to be coiled in the cable coiling assembly 2 in a regular manner. With the above technical solution, during the coiling process, because the cable coiling assembly 2 is evenly distributed and the multiple cable clamp groups 20 are vertically fixed at equal intervals along the radial direction of the central column 11, the anchor cable S can be coiled in the mounting cavity 10 in a regular manner through the multiple cable coiling assemblies 2. The uniform and symmetrical distribution of the cable clamps 201 helps to balance the weight and tension of the anchor cable S and prevents imbalance and swaying of the release device during operation.

[0042] In this embodiment, the anchor cable S can be wound in various ways during the winding process. For example, it can be wound from the inside to the outside, then from the outside to the inside, and then from the inside to the outside again, until a certain length of anchor cable S remains.

[0043] By setting the spacing between the two cable clips 201 in each cable clip group 20 to match the diameter of the anchor cable S, the anchor cable S can be coiled between the two cable clips 201. The cable clips 201 can constrain the anchor cable S. At the same time, the anchor cable S can only be coiled layer by layer in the height direction of the cable clips 201. At the same height of the cable clips 201, it is not allowed for two strands of anchor cable S to be intertwined and squeezed between the two cable clips 201. In this way, it can be avoided that the anchor cable S will get tangled due to miscoiling during the release process.

[0044] Throughout the entire cable winding process, the anchor cable S is wound onto multiple cable winding assemblies 2 according to a specific pattern. This not only ensures that each layer of anchor cable S is neatly arranged, but also that the interval between each turn is properly maintained, reducing friction and mutual interference between the anchor cables S. This orderly winding can prevent the anchor cables S from tangling during release to the greatest extent possible.

[0045] The cable-releasing assembly 3 is used to release the anchor cables S coiled in the mounting cavity 10 one by one from the anchor body 1. Specifically, the cable-releasing assembly 3 includes a rotating arm 31 and a first guide assembly 32. One end of the rotating arm 31 is rotatably connected to the upper end of the central column 11, and the other end of the rotating arm 31 extends horizontally above the cable coiling assembly 2. The first guide assembly 32 is slidably disposed on the rotating arm 31 and can move on the rotating arm 31 in the radial direction of the anchor body 1. The first guide assembly 32 is used to guide the starting end of the anchor cable S from the cable coiling assembly 2 to the outside of the anchor body 1.

[0046] With this technical solution, after the entire release device separates from the anchoring mechanism of the offshore platform, the release device moves downward in the water. The initial cable head of the anchor cable S begins to bear the tensile load. At this time, the anchor cable S coiled on the cable coiling assembly 2 begins to gradually detach from the cable coiling assembly 2 in the reverse order of the coiling pattern to form the deployment cable S2. The deployment cable S2 forces the release cable assembly 3 to rotate around the central column 11, and at the same time forces the first guide assembly 32 to reciprocate on the rotating arm 31 to achieve the orderly and smooth release of the coiled cable S1.

[0047] At the start of release, the initial end of the anchor cable S bears the tension, which begins at the fixed point and gradually affects the entire anchor cable S, maintaining the sequential and continuous nature of the release process. The release sequence of the coiled cable is the reverse of its original coiling order, allowing the anchor cable S to unfold gradually and continuously, avoiding kinks caused by rapid or disordered release. As the anchor cable S is released, the rotating arm 31 and the first guide assembly 32 in the cable release assembly 3 rotate and move accordingly. The rotating arm 31 rotates around the central column 11, causing the first guide assembly 32 to reciprocate along the rotating arm 31, dynamically adjusting its position according to the needs of anchor cable S release. This rotation and movement ensures that the anchor cable S can be smoothly guided outward from the cable coiling assembly 2 along a fixed radial path, reducing the possibility of knots and twists in the anchor cable S.

[0048] The underwater release device for the floating anchor cable S disclosed in this invention, through the uniform and orderly cable coiling design of the cable coiling assembly 2 and the precise control of the cable release assembly 3, can effectively reduce the entanglement and knotting of the anchor cable S during the release process.

[0049] In the above embodiments, the floating anchor cable S is made of a flexible material, which can be a cable or a flexible rope.

[0050] In some preferred embodiments, the bottom end of the central post 11 is provided with an annular groove 110 for fixing the coiled end of the anchor cable S. This fixing method ensures the stability of the anchor cable S throughout the coiling process, preventing the anchor cable S from loosening or shifting during operation, thereby ensuring the consistency and reliability of the entire coiling process. In addition, the annular groove 110 at the bottom end of the central post 11 allows the anchor cable S to coil from bottom to top within the mounting cavity 10, ensuring orderly coiling of the anchor cable S and preventing knotting or tangling during release.

[0051] In the above embodiment, the cable clamp 201 is a thin metal plate. The lower end of the cable clamp 201 is vertically and fixedly connected to the bottom surface of the mounting cavity 10, and the upper end of the cable clamp 201 is in a free state. This makes it convenient for the anchor cable S to be placed in the gap between the two cable clamps 201 when the cable is coiled. During the process of the anchor cable S being coiled from bottom to top, the upper end of the cable clamp 201 is in a free state, which may cause the anchor cable S to squeeze the upper end of the cable clamp 201 in the radial direction, thereby increasing the gap between the upper ends of the two cable clamps 201 in the cable clamp group 20. This may lead to the anchor cable S crossing, and thus, the anchor cable S may become knotted during the release process.

[0052] Therefore, the solution adopted in this embodiment is as follows: at least one elastic element 21 is provided at the upper end of the cable clamp 201 between two adjacent cable clamp groups 20, along the height direction of the cable clamp 201. The two ends of the elastic element 21 are fixedly connected to the outer wall of the cable clamp 201. With this configuration, in the initial state, the two ends of the elastic element 21 do not apply a horizontal force to the cable clamp 201. At this time, the gap between the upper ends of the two cable clamps 201 in the cable clamp group 20 maintains a suitable distance, which facilitates the passage of the anchor cable S. When the anchor cable S is coiled to the upper end in the mounting cavity 10, due to the action of the elastic element 21, the anchor cable S cannot move towards the elastic element 21 by squeezing the cable clamp 201, thus increasing the gap between the cable clamps 201. Therefore, the anchor cable S will not cross after being coiled at the upper end of the cable clamp 201.

[0053] Preferably, in each cable clamp group 20, the inner wall of the upper end of the two cable clamps 201 is provided with at least one inwardly protruding locking portion 2011 along the height direction, and the distance between the locking portions 2011 between the two cable clamps 201 is less than the diameter of the anchor cable S. This arrangement allows the anchor cable S to be kept inside the cable clamp 201 according to the coiling pattern and not to unravel naturally.

[0054] This invention discloses a preferred structural embodiment of the cable-laying assembly 3, as shown in the attached drawing. Figure 4-6As shown, specifically, the rotating arm 31 has a strip-shaped through hole 311, and guide rails 3111 are provided on the inner wall of the strip-shaped through hole 311 along its length. The first guide assembly 32 includes a sliding frame 321, a first rolling group 322, and a second rolling group 323. The side wall of the sliding frame 321 is provided with a groove 3211 that connects to the guide rails 3111. The first rolling group 322 includes two first rollers 3221 that are parallel and spaced apart in the horizontal direction. The second rolling group 323 includes two first rollers 3221 that are parallel and spaced apart in the horizontal direction. The second roller 3231 is located directly below the two first rollers 3221, and the first rollers 3221 and the second rollers 3231 are arranged perpendicularly. The length direction of the second roller 3231 is parallel to the length direction of the slide groove 3211. The first rollers 3221 and the second roller 3231 are rotatably connected to the sliding frame 321. The first rolling group 322 and the second rolling group 323 form a channel in the vertical direction for the initial end of the anchor cable S to pass through and be guided to the outside of the anchor body 1.

[0055] By adopting the above technical solution, the sliding groove 3211 on the sliding frame 321 is connected to the guide rail 3111 in the strip-shaped through hole 311, which enables the entire first guiding assembly 32 to reciprocate along the radial direction of the anchor body 1 on the rotating arm 31. Through the dynamic position adjustment of the first guiding assembly 32 on the rotating arm 31, the path and tension of the anchor cable S can be precisely controlled, avoiding twisting or tangling during the release process.

[0056] By incorporating vertically arranged rollers in the first rolling group 322 and the second rolling group 323, the anchor cable S can pass smoothly with relatively low friction, reducing wear between the anchor cable S and the rollers during release. The vertically arranged rollers ensure the stability of the anchor cable S during guidance and also distribute the pressure on the anchor cable S, reducing potential wear points. Specifically, the two first rollers 3221 in the first rolling group 322 can guide the anchor cable S during radial release while the first guiding assembly 32 is translating, reducing contact friction in this direction. Similarly, the two second rollers 3231 in the second rolling group 323 can roll and guide the anchor cable S as it unfurls around the central column 11 during the entire rotation of the cable release assembly 3, further reducing contact friction in this direction.

[0057] In the above embodiment, when the anchor cable S is released, the starting end of the anchor cable S is fixedly connected to the offshore platform. Since the anchor cable S passes through the first guide assembly 32, the first guide assembly 32 will reciprocate on the rotating arm 31. At the same time, the rotating arm 31 and the first guide assembly 32 will also rotate relative to the center of the anchor body 1. However, since the vertical upward force of the anchor cable S is not at the central axis of the anchor body 1, this will cause the anchor body 1 to sway or rotate significantly during the underwater release of the anchor cable S, which may cause the anchor cable S to become knotted or twisted.

[0058] To solve the above problems, the solution adopted in this embodiment of the invention is as follows: a second guide assembly 33 is also provided on the cable laying assembly 3. The second guide assembly 33 includes a fixed seat 331 and a third rolling group 332. The fixed seat 331 is fixedly installed at one end of the rotating arm 31 near the central column 11. The third rolling group 332 includes two parallel and spaced rollers 3321. The two rollers 3321 are horizontally rotatably installed in the fixed seat 331. The rotation direction of the two rollers 3321 is the same as the rotation direction of the first roller 3221. The two rollers 3321 are used to allow the initial end of the anchor cable S to pass through and be guided to the outside of the anchor body 1.

[0059] Using the above technical solution, the two parallel rollers 3321 of the third rolling group 332 provide a direct and parallel guiding path for the anchor cable S, allowing the anchor cable S to be drawn out vertically near the center of the anchor body 1. This structural arrangement ensures that the anchor cable S remains near the central axis of the anchor body 1 during release, reducing torque and sway caused by the anchor cable S deviating from the center. Because the anchor cable S is effectively guided by the horizontal rotation of the two rollers 3321, the lateral sway or rotation of the anchor body 1 during sinking is significantly controlled. This control not only reduces the twisting or tangling of the anchor cable S due to dynamic instability but also makes the sinking of the anchor body 1 more stable.

[0060] Preferably, a lifting lug 111 is fixedly provided at the center of the top of the central column 11. This arrangement facilitates a detachable connection between the lifting lug 111 and the anchoring mechanism of the offshore platform.

[0061] As some preferred embodiments, reinforcing ribs P are provided on the outer walls of the cable clamps 201 on both the side near the central post 11 and the side away from the central post 11 in the cable coiling assembly 2. This arrangement serves several purposes. First, the reinforcing ribs P increase the rigidity of the cable clamps 201, improving their ability to withstand external forces. During the coiling and release of the anchor cable S, the anchor cable S exerts tensile and compressive forces on the cable clamps 201; the reinforcing ribs P ensure that the cable clamps 201 do not deform or become damaged under these forces. Second, the support of the reinforcing ribs P allows the cable clamps 201 to maintain their position and shape more stably. This stability is crucial to preventing slippage or uneven coiling of the anchor cable S, contributing to the orderly operation of the entire cable coiling system. Third, prolonged use and environmental factors (such as saltwater corrosion and temperature variations) may cause fatigue or fracture in the unreinforced cable clamp material; the presence of the reinforcing ribs P provides additional resistance, extending the service life of the cable clamps 201 and the entire cable coiling assembly 2.

[0062] Optionally, a fixed column 112 is provided at the top of the central column 11, and the rotating arm 31 is rotatably connected to the fixed column 112 via a bearing. With this configuration, the entire rotating arm 31 is rotatably connected to the fixed column 112 via a bearing, which can ensure that the cable release assembly 3 can rotate smoothly relative to the anchor body 1 during the release of the anchor cable S.

[0063] This invention also discloses a method for using the underwater release device for the floating anchor cable S, comprising the following steps:

[0064] Step 1: Fix the coiled end of the flexible anchor cable S in the annular groove 110, and coil it on the coiling assembly 2 according to a certain coiling pattern to obtain the coiled cable S1.

[0065] In this step, the anchor cable is first coiled from the inside out, then from the outside in, and then from the inside out again, until a certain length of anchor cable S remains. Coiling according to a certain pattern ensures that the anchor cable S is stored in the installation cavity 10 in an orderly and uniform manner, preventing knots or tangles from occurring during release.

[0066] Step 2: Pass the remaining anchor cable S of a certain length through the first guide assembly 32 to form the deployment cable S2, and fix the starting cable head to the anchoring mechanism of the offshore platform.

[0067] Step 3: When the anchor body 1 separates from the anchoring mechanism of the offshore platform, under the combined action of the positive buoyancy of the offshore platform and the negative buoyancy of the anchor body 1, the anchor body 1 and the offshore platform begin to move away from each other, causing the starting cable head to bear the tensile load. At this time, the coiled cable S1 begins to gradually detach from the coiled cable assembly 2 in the reverse order of the coiling pattern to form the unfolded cable S2. The unfolded cable S2 forces the cable release assembly 3 to rotate, and at the same time forces the first guide assembly 32 to reciprocate on the rotating arm 31 to achieve the orderly and smooth release of the coiled cable S1.

[0068] After the entire release device is deployed into the ocean, the initial end of the anchor cable S bears the tension. This tension starts from the fixed point and gradually affects the entire anchor cable S, maintaining the sequential and continuous nature of the release process. The release sequence of the coiled cable is the reverse of its original coiling order, allowing the anchor cable S to unfold gradually and continuously, avoiding kinks caused by rapid or disorderly release. As the anchor cable S is released, the rotating arm 31 and the first guide assembly 32 in the release assembly 3 rotate and move accordingly. The rotating arm 31 rotates around the central column 11, causing the first guide assembly 32 to reciprocate along the rotating arm 31, dynamically adjusting its position according to the needs of the anchor cable S release. This rotation and movement ensures that the anchor cable S can be smoothly guided outward from the coiled cable assembly 2 along a fixed radial path, reducing the possibility of knots and twists in the anchor cable S.

[0069] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the present invention. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made within the spirit and principles of the present invention should be included within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A floating anchor cable underwater release device, characterized in that, include: An anchor body (1) has a mounting cavity (10) with an opening at the top, and a central column (11) is fixedly installed at the center of the bottom surface inside the mounting cavity (10). Multiple cable coiling assemblies (2) are provided. Multiple cable coiling assemblies (2) are evenly and fixedly distributed in the mounting cavity (10) around the central column (11). The cable coiling assembly (2) includes multiple cable clamp groups (20). Each cable clamp group (20) consists of two vertically spaced cable clamps (201). Multiple cable clamp groups (20) are fixedly arranged at equal intervals in the mounting cavity (10) along the radial direction of the central column (11). The distance between the two cable clamps (201) in each cable clamp group (20) is adapted to the diameter of the anchor cable. The cable clamp group (20) is used to allow the anchor cable to be coiled in the cable coiling assembly (2) in a regular manner. The cable laying assembly (3) includes a rotating arm (31) and a first guide assembly (32). One end of the rotating arm (31) is rotatably connected to the upper end of the central column (11), and the other end of the rotating arm (31) extends horizontally above the cable coiling assembly (2). The first guide assembly (32) is slidably disposed on the rotating arm (31) and can move on the rotating arm (31) in the radial direction of the anchor body (1). The first guide assembly (32) is used to guide the starting end of the anchor cable from the cable coiling assembly (2) to the outside of the anchor body (1).

2. The underwater release device for floating anchor cables as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The bottom end of the central column (11) is provided with an annular groove (110) for fixing the coiled end of the anchor cable.

3. The underwater release device for floating anchor cables as described in claim 1, characterized in that: At least one elastic element (21) is provided at the upper end of each of the two adjacent cable clamp groups (20) along the height direction of the cable clamp (201), and the two ends of the elastic element (21) are fixedly connected to the outer side wall of the cable clamp (201).

4. The underwater release device for floating anchor cables as described in claim 1 or 3, characterized in that: Each of the cable clamp groups (20) has at least one inwardly protruding snap-fit ​​portion (2011) on the upper inner wall of the two cable clamps (201) along the height direction, and the spacing between the snap-fit ​​portions (2011) between the two cable clamps (201) is less than the diameter of the anchor cable.

5. The underwater release device for floating anchor cables as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The rotating arm (31) is provided with a strip-shaped through hole (311), and the inner wall of the strip-shaped through hole (311) is provided with guide rails (3111) along its length direction. The first guide assembly (32) includes a sliding frame (321), a first rolling group (322) and a second rolling group (323). The sliding frame (321) has a sliding groove (3211) on its side wall that is connected to the guide rail (3111), and the first rolling group (322) includes two first rollers (3221) that are arranged parallel to each other in the horizontal direction; The second rolling assembly (323) includes two second rollers (3231) arranged horizontally and parallel to each other. The two second rollers (3231) are located directly below the two first rollers (3221), and the first rollers (3221) and the second rollers (3231) are arranged perpendicularly. The length direction of the second rollers (3231) is parallel to the length direction of the slide groove (3211). Both the first rollers (3221) and the second rollers (3231) are rotatably connected to the sliding frame (321). The first rolling group (322) and the second rolling group (323) form a channel in the vertical direction for the initial end of the anchor cable to pass through and be guided to the outside of the anchor body (1).

6. The underwater release device for floating anchor cables as described in claim 5, characterized in that: The cable laying assembly (3) further includes a second guide assembly (33), which includes a fixed seat (331) and a third rolling assembly (332). The fixed seat (331) is fixedly disposed at one end of the rotating arm (31) near the central column (11). The third rolling assembly (332) includes two parallel and spaced rollers (3321). The two rollers (3321) are horizontally rotatably disposed in the fixed seat (331). The rotation direction of the two rollers (3321) is the same as the rotation direction of the first roller (3221). The two rollers (3321) are used to allow the initial end of the anchor cable to pass through and be guided to the outside of the anchor body (1).

7. The underwater release device for floating anchor cables as described in claim 1, characterized in that: A lifting lug (111) is fixedly installed at the center of the top of the central column (11).

8. The underwater release device for floating anchor cables as described in claim 4, characterized in that: The cable coil assembly (2) has reinforcing ribs (P) on the outer wall of the cable clip (201) on the side near the central column (11) and on the outer wall of the cable clip (201) away from the central column (11).

9. The underwater release device for floating anchor cables as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The top of the central column (11) is provided with a fixed column (112), and the rotating arm (31) is rotatably connected to the fixed column (112) through a bearing (G).

10. A method of using the underwater release device for a floating anchor cable as described in any one of claims 2-9, characterized in that: Includes the following steps: Step 1: Fix the coiled end of the flexible anchor cable in the annular groove (110) and coil it on the coiling assembly (2) according to a certain coiling pattern to obtain the coiled cable. Step 2: Pass the remaining anchor cable of a certain length through the first guide assembly (32) to form a deployment cable, and fix the starting cable head on the anchoring mechanism of the offshore platform; Step 3: When the anchor body (1) separates from the anchoring mechanism of the offshore platform, under the combined action of the positive buoyancy of the offshore platform and the negative buoyancy of the anchor body (1), the anchor body (1) and the offshore platform begin to move away from each other, causing the starting cable head to bear the tensile load. At this time, the coiled cable begins to gradually detach from the coiled cable assembly (2) in the reverse order of the coiling pattern to form the unfolded cable. The unfolded cable forces the cable release assembly (3) to rotate, and at the same time forces the first guide assembly (32) to move back and forth on the rotating arm (31) to achieve the orderly and smooth release of the coiled cable.

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