Distributed buoyancy module capable of being flexibly configured

Abstract

The invention relates to the technical field of submarine cable protection, and discloses a distributed buoyancy module capable of being flexibly configured, which comprises a first buoyancy block, a third buoyancy block with the same type and size is horizontally arranged below the first buoyancy block, and a second buoyancy block is arranged between the first buoyancy block and the third buoyancy block; a clamp is arranged on the inner side of the second buoyancy block. The distributed buoyancy module capable of being flexibly configured is convenient to assemble, and the production cost can be effectively reduced; the demountable distributed buoyancy module can adjust the line type of the submarine cable, so that the fatigue life of the submarine cable is prolonged; a single buoyancy block in the product is small in size, simple in structure, low in production equipment requirement and high in pouring efficiency; the buoyancy module and the clamp are connected only through bolts, and the assembling process is simple and easy to operate; the clamp is limited through the combination of different types of buoyancy blocks, and a limiting device of the clamp does not need to be added; the buoyancy module is installed in a modularized mode, the size of the buoyancy module can be adjusted according to site conditions, and the submarine cable type can be adjusted.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of submarine cable protection, and in particular to a distributed buoyancy module that can be flexibly configured. Background Art

[0002] Distributed buoyancy modules mainly provide distributed buoyancy for flexible risers, hoses, umbilical cables, and dynamic submarine cables to ensure good linearity in the water. Traditional buoyancy modules are large in size. When producing large buoyancy modules, synthetic foam needs to be poured into a rotationally molded shell. However, the rigidity of the shell of a large buoyancy element is usually not enough to support itself and maintain its shape, so it is necessary to further add a clamp to the shell to constrain it. At the same time, the synthetic foam inside the buoyancy module is difficult to solidify quickly during pouring, and it needs to be poured in batches multiple times, which affects production efficiency. In view of the high casting cost and long molding time of existing large-scale distributed buoyancy modules, a flexibly configurable buoyancy module is designed. The single buoyancy block is small in size and can be modularly installed according to site needs. Compared with traditional buoyancy modules, it has a simple structure and can effectively improve production efficiency.

[0003] Therefore, a flexibly configurable distributed buoyancy module is proposed. Summary of the invention

[0004] Technical issues solved In view of the shortcomings of the prior art, the present invention provides a flexibly configurable distributed buoyancy module with a small volume of a single buoyancy block. It can be modularly installed according to on-site needs. Compared with traditional buoyancy modules, it has a simple structure and can effectively provide advantages such as production efficiency, solving the problems of high casting cost and long molding time of existing large-scale distributed buoyancy modules.

[0005] Technical Solution In order to achieve the above-mentioned purpose of solving the problems of high casting cost and long molding time of existing large-scale distributed buoyancy modules, the present invention provides the following technical solutions: A flexibly configurable distributed buoyancy module comprises a first buoyancy block, a third buoyancy block of the same type and size is horizontally arranged below the first buoyancy block, and a second buoyancy block is arranged between the first buoyancy block and the third buoyancy block; A clamp is provided inside the second buoyancy block; The first buoyancy block, the second buoyancy block and the third buoyancy block are all arranged symmetrically in front and back.

[0006] Preferably, a first T-shaped protrusion is fixedly provided on the outer side of the top end of the first buoyancy block, a first assembly through hole is vertically penetrated downward on the top surface of the first buoyancy block, and a first T-shaped arc groove is horizontally provided on the inner side of the bottom end of the first buoyancy block.

[0007] Preferably, a first installation groove is symmetrically opened on the outer side surface of the first buoyancy block, and a first threaded hole penetrating the first buoyancy block is horizontally opened on the inner wall of the first installation groove. The front and rear two first buoyancy blocks are threadedly connected by bolts passing through two groups of first installation grooves and first threaded holes.

[0008] Preferably, a second T-shaped protrusion is fixedly provided on the outer side of the top end of the second buoyancy block, a second assembly through hole is vertically penetrated downward on the top surface of the second buoyancy block, and a second T-shaped arc groove is horizontally provided on the inner side of the bottom end of the second buoyancy block.

[0009] Preferably, a second installation groove is symmetrically opened on the outer side surface of the second buoyancy block, and a first threaded hole penetrating the second buoyancy block is horizontally opened on the inner wall of the second installation groove. The front and rear two second buoyancy blocks are threadedly connected by bolts passing through two groups of second installation grooves and second threaded holes. The inner wall of the first T-shaped arc groove is adapted to the outer surface of the second T-shaped protrusion, and the second buoyancy block is screwed into the first T-shaped arc groove through the second T-shaped protrusion to be connected to the first buoyancy block.

[0010] Preferably, the clamp includes two arc-shaped clamps arranged symmetrically front and back, an inner lining plate is arranged on the inner side of the arc-shaped clamp, a placement arc groove is horizontally penetrated through the inner side surface of the arc-shaped clamp, the inner wall of the placement arc groove is adapted to the surface of the inner lining plate, the inner lining plate is a flexible lining and is made of polymer, threaded mounting holes are penetrated through the left and right sides of the two arc-shaped clamps, and the two arc-shaped clamps are threadedly connected by four bolts passing through two groups of threaded mounting holes.

[0011] Preferably, a third T-shaped protrusion is fixedly provided on the outer side of the top end of the third buoyancy block, a third assembly through hole is vertically penetrated downward on the top surface of the third buoyancy block, a third T-shaped arc groove is horizontally opened on the inner side of the bottom end of the third buoyancy block, a third installation groove is symmetrically opened on the outer side surface of the third buoyancy block, and a third threaded hole that penetrates the third buoyancy block is horizontally opened on the inner wall of the third installation groove, and the front and rear two third buoyancy blocks are threadedly connected by three bolts passing through two groups of third installation grooves and third threaded holes, the inner wall of the second T-shaped arc groove is adapted to the outer surface of the third T-shaped protrusion, and the third buoyancy block is screwed into the second T-shaped arc groove through the third T-shaped protrusion to be connected with the second buoyancy block, the inner walls of the first assembly through hole and the third assembly through hole are both transitionally matched with the surface of the submarine cable, the inner wall of the inner lining plate is interference fit with the surface of the submarine cable, the inner diameters of the first assembly through hole and the third assembly through hole are smaller than the second assembly through hole, and the bottom surface of the first buoyancy block and the top surface of the third buoyancy block are respectively clamped with the upper and lower end surfaces of the clamp.

[0012] Preferably, the number of the first buoyancy block and the third buoyancy block can be appropriately increased or decreased at the end of the buoyancy module to meet the requirements of different static buoyancy of the submarine cable, so as to adjust the line shape of the submarine cable; The T-shaped protrusions and T-shaped grooves of the buoyancy modules are used to limit the axial displacement and radial position between the buoyancy blocks. The shapes of the protrusions and grooves may also be trapezoidal or inverted triangular; In order to further reduce the probability of relative sliding between the buoyancy module and the submarine cable, multiple sets of second buoyancy blocks and clamps can be added to the buoyancy module.

[0013] Compared with the prior art, the present invention provides a distributed buoyancy module that can be flexibly configured, which has the following beneficial effects: 1. The flexibly configurable distributed buoyancy module is easy to assemble and has high casting efficiency, which can effectively reduce production costs; the detachable distributed buoyancy module can adjust the line shape of the submarine cable and improve the fatigue life of the submarine cable.

[0014] 2. The single buoyancy block in the flexibly configurable distributed buoyancy module is small in size, simple in structure, has low production equipment requirements and high casting efficiency; the buoyancy module and the fixture are installed only by bolt connection, and the assembly process is simple and easy to operate; the fixture is limited by the combination of different types of buoyancy blocks, and there is no need to add a limiting device to the fixture; the buoyancy module is installed in a modular manner, and the size of the buoyancy module can be adjusted according to the on-site conditions, and the line type of the submarine cable can be adjusted. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] Figure 1 It is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of the overall structure of the present invention; Figure 2 It is a three-dimensional cross-sectional view of the overall structure of the present invention; Figure 3 It is a three-dimensional cross-sectional view of the first buoyancy block structure of the present invention; Figure 4 It is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of the second buoyancy block structure of the present invention; Figure 5 It is a three-dimensional cross-sectional view of the clamp structure of the present invention; Figure 6 It is a three-dimensional cross-sectional view of the third buoyancy block structure of the present invention.

[0016] In the figure: the first buoyancy block 1, the first assembly through hole 101, the first T-shaped protrusion 102, the first T-shaped arc groove 103, the first mounting groove 104, the first threaded hole 105, the second buoyancy block 2, the second assembly through hole 201, the second T-shaped protrusion 202, the second T-shaped arc groove 203, the second mounting groove 204, the second threaded hole 205, the third buoyancy block 3, the third assembly through hole 301, the third T-shaped protrusion 302, the third T-shaped arc groove 303, the third mounting groove 304, the third threaded hole 305, the clamp 4, the arc clamp plate 401, the inner lining plate 402, the placement arc groove 403, and the threaded mounting hole 404. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0017] The following will be combined with the drawings in the embodiments of the present invention to clearly and completely describe the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention. Obviously, the described embodiments are only part of the embodiments of the present invention, not all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without creative work are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0018] See also Figure 1-Figure 6 ; A flexibly configurable distributed buoyancy module comprises a first buoyancy block 1, a third buoyancy block 3 of the same type and size is horizontally arranged below the first buoyancy block 1, and a second buoyancy block 2 is arranged between the first buoyancy block 1 and the third buoyancy block 3; A clamp 4 is provided inside the second buoyancy block 2; The first buoyancy block 1, the second buoyancy block 2 and the third buoyancy block 3 are all arranged symmetrically in front and back; A first T-shaped protrusion 102 is fixedly arranged on the outer side of the top of the first buoyancy block 1, a first assembly through hole 101 is vertically penetrated downwardly from the top surface of the first buoyancy block 1, and a first T-shaped arc groove 103 is horizontally opened on the inner side of the bottom end of the first buoyancy block 1; The first buoyancy block 1 is provided with a first installation groove 104 symmetrically formed on the outer side surface, and a first threaded hole 105 penetrating the first buoyancy block 1 is horizontally formed on the inner wall of the first installation groove 104. The front and rear first buoyancy blocks 1 are threadedly connected by bolts passing through the two groups of first installation grooves 104 and first threaded holes 105. A second T-shaped protrusion 202 is fixedly provided on the outer side of the top of the second buoyancy block 2, a second assembly through hole 201 is vertically penetrated downwardly on the top surface of the second buoyancy block 2, a second T-shaped arc groove 203 is horizontally provided on the inner side of the bottom end of the second buoyancy block 2, a second installation groove 204 is symmetrically provided on the outer side surface of the second buoyancy block 2, a first threaded hole 105 penetrating the second buoyancy block 2 is horizontally provided on the inner wall of the second installation groove 204, the front and rear second buoyancy blocks 2 are threadedly connected by bolts passing through two groups of second installation grooves 204 and second threaded holes 205, the inner wall of the first T-shaped arc groove 103 is adapted to the outer surface of the second T-shaped protrusion 202, and the second buoyancy block 2 is screwed into the first T-shaped arc groove 103 through the second T-shaped protrusion 202 to be connected with the first buoyancy block 1; The second buoyancy block 2 has a second threaded hole 205 symmetrically formed on the outer side surface, and a first threaded hole 105 penetrating the second buoyancy block 2 is formed horizontally on the inner wall of the second mounting groove 204. The front and rear second buoyancy blocks 2 are threadedly connected by two bolts passing through the two groups of second mounting grooves 204 and second threaded holes 205. The inner wall of the first T-shaped arc groove 103 is matched with the outer surface of the second T-shaped protrusion 202. The second buoyancy block 2 is screwed into the first T-shaped arc groove 103 through the second T-shaped protrusion 202 to be connected with the first buoyancy block 1; A third T-shaped protrusion 302 is fixedly arranged on the outer side of the top of the third buoyancy block 3, a third assembly through hole 301 is vertically penetrated downward on the top surface of the third buoyancy block 3, a third T-shaped arc groove 303 is horizontally opened on the inner side of the bottom end of the third buoyancy block 3, a third installation groove 304 is symmetrically opened on the outer side surface of the third buoyancy block 3, a third threaded hole 305 penetrating the third buoyancy block 3 is horizontally opened on the inner wall of the third installation groove 304, and the front and rear two third buoyancy blocks 3 are threadedly connected by bolts passing through two groups of third installation grooves 304 and third threaded holes 305, and the second The inner wall of the T-shaped arc groove 203 is matched with the outer surface of the third T-shaped protrusion 302, and the third buoyancy block 3 is screwed into the second T-shaped arc groove 203 through the third T-shaped protrusion 302 to connect with the second buoyancy block 2, the inner wall of the first assembly through hole 101 and the inner wall of the third assembly through hole 301 are transitionally matched with the surface of the submarine cable, the inner wall of the inner lining plate 402 is interference-fitted with the surface of the submarine cable, the inner diameters of the first assembly through hole 101 and the third assembly through hole 301 are smaller than the second assembly through hole 201, and the bottom surface of the first buoyancy block 1 and the top surface of the third buoyancy block 3 are respectively clamped with the upper and lower end surfaces of the clamp 4; The number of the first buoyancy block 1 and the third buoyancy block 3 can be appropriately increased or decreased at the end of the buoyancy module to meet the requirements of different static buoyancy of the submarine cable, so as to adjust the line shape of the submarine cable; The T-shaped protrusions and T-shaped grooves of the buoyancy modules are used to limit the axial displacement and radial position between the buoyancy blocks. The shapes of the protrusions and grooves may also be trapezoidal or inverted triangular; In order to further reduce the probability of relative sliding between the buoyancy module and the submarine cable, multiple sets of second buoyancy blocks 2 and clamps 4 may be added to the buoyancy module.

[0019] The beneficial effects of the present invention are as follows: a single buoyancy block in the flexibly configurable distributed buoyancy module is small in size, simple in structure, has low production equipment requirements and high casting efficiency; the buoyancy module and the clamp 4 are installed only by bolt connection, and the assembly process is simple and easy to operate; the clamp 4 is limited by a combination of different types of buoyancy blocks, and there is no need to add a limiting device to the clamp 4; the buoyancy module is installed in a modular manner, and the size of the buoyancy module can be adjusted according to the on-site conditions, and the line type of the submarine cable can be adjusted.

[0020] Although embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various changes, modifications, substitutions and variations may be made to the embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the present invention, and that the scope of the present invention is defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A flexibly configurable distributed buoyancy module, comprising a first buoyancy block (1), characterized in that: A third buoyancy block (3) of the same type and size is horizontally arranged below the first buoyancy block (1), and a second buoyancy block (2) is arranged between the first buoyancy block (1) and the third buoyancy block (3); A clamp (4) is provided inside the second buoyancy block (2); The first buoyancy block (1), the second buoyancy block (2) and the third buoyancy block (3) are all arranged symmetrically in two front and rear positions.

2. A flexibly configurable distributed buoyancy module according to claim 1, characterized in that: A first T-shaped protrusion (102) is fixedly provided on the outer side of the top end of the first buoyancy block (1), a first assembly through hole (101) is vertically penetrated downwards through the top surface of the first buoyancy block (1), and a first T-shaped arc groove (103) is horizontally provided on the inner side of the bottom end of the first buoyancy block (1).

3. A flexibly configurable distributed buoyancy module according to claim 2, characterized in that: The first buoyancy block (1) is provided with a first installation groove (104) symmetrically on the left and right sides of the outer side surface, and a first threaded hole (105) penetrating the first buoyancy block (1) is horizontally provided on the inner wall of the first installation groove (104), and the first buoyancy blocks (1) at the front and rear are threadedly connected by bolts passing through the two groups of first installation grooves (104) and first threaded holes (105).

4. A flexibly configurable distributed buoyancy module according to claim 3, characterized in that: A second T-shaped protrusion (202) is fixedly provided on the outer side of the top end of the second buoyancy block (2), a second assembly through hole (201) is vertically penetrated downwards through the top surface of the second buoyancy block (2), and a second T-shaped arc groove (203) is horizontally provided on the inner side of the bottom end of the second buoyancy block (2).

5. A flexibly configurable distributed buoyancy module according to claim 4, characterized in that: The outer side surface of the second buoyancy block (2) is symmetrically provided with a second installation groove (204), and the inner wall of the second installation groove (204) is horizontally provided with a first threaded hole (105) penetrating the second buoyancy block (2). The front and rear second buoyancy blocks (2) are threadedly connected by two bolts passing through two groups of second installation grooves (204) and second threaded holes (205). The inner wall of the first T-shaped arc groove (103) is matched with the outer surface of the second T-shaped protrusion (202), and the second buoyancy block (2) is screwed into the first T-shaped arc groove (103) through the second T-shaped protrusion (202) to be connected with the first buoyancy block (1).

6. A flexibly configurable distributed buoyancy module according to claim 5, characterized in that: The clamp (4) comprises two arc-shaped clamping plates (401) arranged symmetrically in front and back, an inner lining plate (402) is arranged on the inner side of the arc-shaped clamping plate (401), a placement arc groove (403) is horizontally penetrated through the inner side surface of the arc-shaped clamping plate (401), the inner wall of the placement arc groove (403) is adapted to the surface of the inner lining plate (402), the inner lining plate (402) is a flexible lining and is made of polymer, threaded mounting holes (404) are penetrated through the left and right sides of the two arc-shaped clamping plates (401), and the two arc-shaped clamping plates (401) are threadedly connected by four bolts passing through two groups of threaded mounting holes (404).

7. A flexibly configurable distributed buoyancy module according to claim 6, characterized in that: A third T-shaped protrusion (302) is fixedly arranged on the outer side of the top of the third buoyancy block (3); a third assembly through hole (301) is vertically penetrated downward on the top surface of the third buoyancy block (3); a third T-shaped arc groove (303) is horizontally formed on the inner side of the bottom end of the third buoyancy block (3); a third installation groove (304) is symmetrically formed on the outer side surface of the third buoyancy block (3); a third threaded hole (305) penetrating the third buoyancy block (3) is horizontally formed on the inner wall of the third installation groove (304); the front and rear third buoyancy blocks (3) are threadedly connected by bolts passing through two groups of third installation grooves (304) and third threaded holes (305); The inner wall of the second T-shaped arc groove (203) is matched with the outer surface of the third T-shaped protrusion (302); the third buoyancy block (3) is screwed into the second T-shaped arc groove (203) through the third T-shaped protrusion (302) to be connected with the second buoyancy block (2); the inner wall of the first assembly through hole (101) and the inner wall of the third assembly through hole (301) are both transitionally matched with the surface of the submarine cable; the inner wall of the inner lining plate (402) is interference-fitted with the surface of the submarine cable; the inner diameters of the first assembly through hole (101) and the third assembly through hole (301) are both smaller than the inner diameters of the second assembly through hole (201); the bottom surface of the first buoyancy block (1) and the top surface of the third buoyancy block (3) are respectively clamped with the upper and lower end surfaces of the clamp (4).

8. A flexibly configurable distributed buoyancy module according to claim 7, characterized in that: The number of the first buoyancy block (1) and the third buoyancy block (3) can be appropriately increased or decreased at the end of the buoyancy module to meet the requirements of different static buoyancy of the submarine cable, so as to adjust the line shape of the submarine cable; The T-shaped protrusions and T-shaped grooves of the buoyancy modules are used to limit the axial displacement and radial position between the buoyancy blocks. The shapes of the protrusions and grooves may also be trapezoidal or inverted triangular; In order to further reduce the probability of relative sliding between the buoyancy module and the submarine cable, multiple sets of second buoyancy blocks (2) and clamps (4) can be added to the buoyancy module.

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