A locking device for the reel and the end of the pipe in the reel-lay method of laying submarine pipelines

Abstract

This invention relates to a locking device for the connection between a reel and the end of a pipe in the roll-type laying of subsea pipelines. An annular groove is formed at the connection between the spherical and conical shapes of the initial end. A central hole and a conical hole are sequentially arranged along the pipe's axial direction from front to back inside the initial end. After a conical fixing block is welded to the end of the axial pulling cable, the axial pulling cable is passed through the central hole of the initial end, causing the conical fixing block to engage with the conical hole inside the initial end. Left and right clamps are located on opposite sides of the initial end and are engaged with the annular groove of the initial end, with the left and right clamps being securely connected. A fixing arm is connected to the end of the right clamp, and a fixing disc is securely connected to the end of the fixing arm. A lifting ring is connected to the end face of the fixing arm. This invention enables the connection and fixation of the pipe end to the reel during the roll-up process, ensuring a firm fixation, convenient operation, and facilitating subsea pipeline laying operations, thus improving work efficiency.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the field of marine oil and gas pipeline technology, specifically relating to a locking device for the end of a reel used in the roll-type laying of submarine pipelines. Background Technology

[0002] As my country's development of offshore oil and gas resources gradually extends into the deep sea, subsea pipeline laying faces challenges such as longer replenishment cycles, shorter construction windows in harsh environments, and more complex ocean currents and waves. Traditional subsea pipeline laying methods, such as the S-type and J-type pipe laying methods, are unsuitable for deep-sea pipeline laying tasks due to their relatively low laying efficiency. The coiled pipe method, a relatively new pipeline laying method, offers advantages over other methods, including high efficiency, low cost, continuous laying capability, and low operational risk. It is currently the most widely used and efficient pipeline laying method in international marine engineering development projects, especially deep-sea projects.

[0003] The coiled pipe laying method first involves welding, inspecting, and painting the pipeline section by section on land. Then, the pipe is pulled up onto a reel, transported to a designated location for unwinding, straightening, and lowering, thus commencing the pipe laying operation. The winding process is the first step in the coiled pipe laying method, and the key challenge lies in securing the pipe to the reel after it's loaded onto the ship. The subsequent winding process is relatively smooth. Currently, the following problems exist in the connection and fixation between the pipe and the reel during coiled pipe laying:

[0004] ① There is no intuitive way to fix the pipe's circular cross-section to the drum structure. Improper fixing can easily lead to pipe deformation or even safety accidents.

[0005] ② The pipe needs to be wound from one side of the drum to the other, gradually covering one layer before starting to wind the next. Therefore, the end of the pipe should be fixed to one side of the drum, and it is difficult to precisely control the lateral movement of the pipe using only the axial tension cable.

[0006] Therefore, the present invention designs a locking device for the end of the reel and the pipe for the reel-type laying of submarine pipelines. Summary of the Invention

[0007] The purpose of this invention is to overcome the shortcomings of the prior art and provide a locking device for the end of the reel and the pipe for the reel-type laying of submarine pipelines.

[0008] The technical problem solved by this invention is achieved through the following technical solution:

[0009] A locking device for the drum and the end of the pipeline for the roll-type laying of submarine pipelines includes an initial end, a left clamp, a right clamp, a fixing plate, and a lifting ring.

[0010] The initial end has a spherical front end and a conical rear end. The connection between the spherical and conical parts of the initial end forms an annular groove. A central hole and a conical hole are sequentially provided in the initial end along the axial direction of the pipe from front to back. After the conical fixing block is welded to the end of the axial pulling steel cable, the axial pulling steel cable is passed through the central hole of the initial end, so that the conical fixing block and the conical hole inside the initial end fit together.

[0011] The left and right clamps are located at both ends of the initial end and are engaged with the annular groove of the initial end, and the left and right clamps are fastened together.

[0012] The right clamp is connected to a fixed arm at one end, the fixed arm is fastened to the fixed plate at one end, and the lifting ring is connected to the end face of the fixed arm.

[0013] Moreover, the cross-section of the left clamp is C-shaped, consisting of upper and lower parallel first meshing teeth and a semi-circular ring connecting the upper and lower first meshing teeth;

[0014] The right clamp consists of two parallel second meshing teeth arranged above and below and a semi-circular ring connecting the upper and lower second meshing teeth;

[0015] When the left and right clamps are fully engaged with the first and second meshing teeth, the semi-circular ring jaws complete the covering of the annular groove at the initial end of the pipe; the left and right clamps are fastened together by bolts inserted into the first bolt hole.

[0016] Furthermore, the fixing plate is cylindrical, with an angled groove at the center of the left plate surface, a connecting hole at the center of the groove and four through second bolt holes arranged in a circumferential array around it, and a chamfer at the end of the fixing arm. The fixing arm is assembled with the groove of the fixing plate through the chamfer, and the fixing arm and the fixing plate are fastened by bolts inserted into the second bolt holes. The fixing arm passes through the mounting hole on the drum wall.

[0017] Furthermore, the diameter of the nut of the lifting ring is smaller than the inner diameter of the central connecting hole of the fixing plate.

[0018] The advantages and beneficial effects of this invention are as follows:

[0019] This invention enables the connection and fixation of the pipe end to the drum during the winding process, ensuring a firm fixation, convenient operation, and facilitating the laying of submarine pipelines, thereby improving work efficiency. Attached Figure Description

[0020] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the present invention;

[0021] Figure 2 This is a cross-sectional view of the initial end and the pipe of the present invention;

[0022] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the left clamp of the present invention;

[0023] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the right clamp of the present invention;

[0024] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the installation of the axial tension cable of the present invention;

[0025] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram showing the connection between the lifting ring and the fixed arm of the present invention.

[0026] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures

[0027] 1-Initial end, 101-Annular groove, 102-Conical hole, 2-Left chuck, 201-First semi-circular ring latch, 3-Right chuck, 301-Second semi-circular ring latch, 4-Fixing plate, 5-Lifting ring, 6-First bolt hole, 7-Nut, 8-First meshing tooth, 9-Second meshing tooth, 10-Center hole, 11-Fixing arm, 12-Second bolt hole, 13-Center connecting hole. Detailed Implementation

[0028] The present invention will be further described in detail below through specific embodiments. The following embodiments are merely descriptive and not limiting, and should not be used to limit the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0029] like Figure 1 As shown, an innovative locking device for the connection between a reel and the end of a pipe used in the reel-type laying of submarine pipelines includes:

[0030] The initial end 1 has a spherical front portion and a conical rear portion, with an annular groove 101 formed at the junction of the spherical and conical shapes. The initial end 1 has a central hole 10 inside along the axial direction of the pipe. The front section of the central hole 10 is parallel to the axial direction, and the rear section has a conical hole 102, the cross-section of which is shown below. Figure 2 As shown;

[0031] The left chuck 2 has a C-shaped cross-section and consists of upper and lower parallel first meshing teeth 8 and a first semi-circular ring 201 connecting the upper and lower first meshing teeth 8. Figure 3 As shown;

[0032] The right chuck 3 also has upper and lower parallel second meshing teeth 9 and a second semi-circular ring slot 301 connecting the upper and lower second meshing teeth 9. A cylindrical fixing arm 11 is connected to the right side of the right chuck 3, and a chamfer is provided at the end of the fixing arm 11. Figure 4 As shown;

[0033] The fixing plate 4 has a cylindrical body and an angled groove at the center of the left plate surface. There is a connecting hole 13 at the center of the groove and four through bolt holes 12 arranged in a circumferential array around it.

[0034] After welding a conical fixing block to the end of the axial tension cable, the axial tension cable is passed through the central hole 10 of the initial end 1, so that the conical fixing block fits into the conical hole 102 inside the initial end 1. Figure 5 As shown.

[0035] After the initial end 1 is welded and fixed to the pipeline, the pipeline can be axially pulled by the axial tensioning steel cable.

[0036] When the pipe approaches the drum during the winding process, it is temporarily fixed, at which time the left clamp 2 and the right clamp 3 are installed. When the left clamp 2 and the right clamp 3 are fully engaged by the first meshing tooth 8 and the second meshing tooth 9, the first semi-circular ring 201 and the second semi-circular ring 301 cover the annular groove 101 of the initial end 1 of the pipe, preventing the initial end 1 from falling off from the locking device in the axial direction. Then, the fastening connection between the left clamp 3 and the right clamp 4 is completed by installing bolts in the four first bolt holes 6.

[0037] After completing the installation and tightening of the left clamp 3 and the right clamp 4, install the lifting ring 5 on the fixed arm 11, as follows. Figure 6 As shown, the diameter of the nut 7 of the lifting ring 5 is smaller than the inner diameter of the central connecting hole 13 of the fixing plate 4.

[0038] After the installation of the lifting ring 5 is completed, the lateral traction cable is passed through the central connecting hole 13 of the fixed plate 5 and connected to the lifting ring 5 on the fixed arm 11 of the right clamp 3. At this time, the lateral traction cable can control the pipe to move laterally.

[0039] Remove the pipe fixation and continue to pull the pipe axially to the predetermined position on the drum. Gradually tighten the lateral pulling cable, and control the fixed arm 11 to pass through the mounting hole on the drum wall so that its end chamfer can fit with the central groove of the fixed plate 4. Then, complete the fastening connection between the fixed arm 11 and the fixed plate 4 by installing bolts in the four bolt holes 12.

[0040] Then the axial and lateral tension cables can be released, and the drum will bear the tension of the pipe during the subsequent winding process.

[0041] Although embodiments and drawings of the invention have been disclosed for illustrative purposes, those skilled in the art will understand that various substitutions, variations, and modifications are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention and the appended claims. Therefore, the scope of the invention is not limited to what is disclosed in the embodiments and drawings.

Claims

1. A locking device for the drum and the end of the pipeline in the roll-type laying of submarine pipelines, characterized in that: Includes the initial end (1), left clamp (2), right clamp (3), fixed plate (4), and lifting ring (5); The initial end (1) has a spherical front end and a conical rear end. The connection between the spherical and conical parts of the initial end (1) forms an annular groove (101). The initial end (1) has a central hole (10) and a conical hole (102) arranged sequentially from front to back along the axial direction of the pipe. After the conical fixing block is welded to the end of the axial pulling steel cable, the axial pulling steel cable is passed through the central hole (10) of the initial end (1), so that the conical fixing block and the conical hole (102) inside the initial end (1) are fitted together. The left clamp (2) and the right clamp (3) are located on both sides of the initial end (1) and are engaged with the annular groove (101) of the initial end (1). The left clamp (2) and the right clamp (3) are fastened together. The end of the right clamp (3) is connected to the fixing arm (11), the end of the fixing arm (11) is fastened to the fixing plate (4), and the lifting ring (5) is connected to the end face of the fixing arm (11). The cross-section of the left clamp (2) is shaped like a "C" and consists of the first meshing teeth (8) arranged in parallel on the upper and lower sides and the first semi-circular ring (201) connecting the upper and lower first meshing teeth (8); The right chuck (3) consists of upper and lower parallel second meshing teeth (9) and a second semi-circular ring (301) connecting the upper and lower second meshing teeth (9); When the left clamp (2) and the right clamp (3) are fully engaged by the first meshing tooth (8) and the second meshing tooth (9), the first semi-circular ring clasp (201) and the second semi-circular ring clasp (301) complete the covering of the annular groove (101) of the initial end (1) of the pipe; the left clamp (2) and the right clamp (3) are fastened together by a bolt inserted into the first bolt hole (6); The fixed plate (4) is cylindrical, with an angled groove at the center of the left plate surface, a connecting hole (13) at the center of the groove and four through second bolt holes (12) arranged in a circumferential array around it; the end of the fixed arm (11) is chamfered, the fixed arm (11) is assembled with the groove of the fixed plate by the chamfer, the fixed arm (11) and the fixed plate (4) are fastened by bolts inserted into the second bolt holes (12), and the fixed arm (11) passes through the mounting hole on the drum wall; The diameter of the nut (7) of the lifting ring (5) is smaller than the inner diameter of the center connecting hole (13) of the fixing plate (4).

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