Tension leg buoy type single-point mooring system

Abstract

The invention discloses a tension leg buoy type single-point mooring system which comprises a mooring column module, a buoy module and a buoy module. The mooring column module is used for being connected with a ship. The buoy device is used for stably floating on the sea surface, so that the ship is moored at a single point; the tying column module is arranged in the middle of the top of the buoy device; the acceleration folding and unfolding device is used for adjusting the floating state of the buoy and floats on the sea surface or sinks under the sea bottom; the tension leg platform is used for supporting the buoy device and is arranged under the buoy device; and the fixing module is used for fixing the quick tightening device and the tension leg platform. The device realizes instant switching of the states of the buoys, effectively prolongs the service life of the system, and shows excellent performance and adaptability. A tension leg system and an adjustable floating state buoy structure are combined, an acceleration retracting and releasing device is arranged, and the acceleration retracting and releasing system can retract the buoy under the sea surface when a severe environment comes, so that the safety of the whole single-point mooring system is improved, and the service life of the single-point mooring system is prolonged.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention belongs to the field of fully automated products and relates to a tension leg buoy type single point mooring system. Background Art

[0002] Currently, single-point mooring technology presents various forms, which can be roughly divided into two categories: fixed and floating. Fixed mooring platforms include various structures such as jacket tower, rigid arm and fixed tower. They are more suitable for shallow water environments because their construction costs may be relatively low in these areas. However, as the water depth increases, especially in deep and ultra-deep water areas, floating platforms have shown their unique advantages, such as catenary buoy mooring, single anchor leg mooring and single buoy rigid arm mooring. These systems may have higher cost-effectiveness.

[0003] From the perspective of environmental impact, fixed platforms may have a relatively lasting impact on the surrounding seabed ecological environment due to their long-term fixation to the seabed. On the contrary, floating facilities can significantly reduce direct intervention on the seabed and marine environment through carefully designed mooring systems and floating characteristics, showing more environmentally friendly characteristics. Flexibility and adaptability make floating mooring technology play an increasingly important role in deep-sea resource development. However, with the continuous development of technology and the continuous expansion of application fields, single-point mooring buoys are also facing many challenges. Among them, how to further improve its ability to resist wind and waves, extend its service life, and reduce maintenance costs and other issues need to be solved urgently. Summary of the invention

[0004] In order to solve the above problems, the technical solution adopted by the present invention is: a tension leg buoy type single point mooring system, characterized in that it includes:

[0005] Bollard module: used to connect with the ship;

[0006] Buoy device: used to stably float on the sea surface and enable the ship to moor at a single point; the bollard module is arranged in the middle position of the top of the buoy device;

[0007] Accelerating retracting and releasing device: used to adjust the buoyancy of the buoy to float on the sea surface or sink under the seabed;

[0008] Tension leg platform: used to support the buoy device and arranged directly below the buoy device;

[0009] Fixing module: fix the quick tightening device and the tension leg platform.

[0010] Further: the bollard module comprises a fixed shaft and two rigid tie rods;

[0011] A slide groove is arranged on the fixed shaft;

[0012] The slide groove is provided with a slide plate with a slide rail;

[0013] The two rigid tie rods are overlapped in a triangular shape, one end of the two rigid tie rods is connected to the bow of the ship, and the other ends of the two rigid tie rods are respectively connected to the two ends of the sliding plate by means of a spherical hinge;

[0014] The slide is connected to the fixed shaft through a slide groove.

[0015] Furthermore: contact points are respectively arranged at both ends of the sliding piece, in the form of an arc that fits the axial surface; the arc of the arc-shaped sliding piece is 120 degrees.

[0016] Further: the accelerated retracting and releasing device includes a fixed outer frame;

[0017] A first connecting rod, a second connecting rod, a rocker, a first pawl, a ratchet, a second pawl, a first gear, a second gear, and a steel cable are arranged inside the fixed outer frame;

[0018] The diameter of the first gear is greater than the diameter of the second gear;

[0019] The connecting rod is fixed to the frame bodies on both sides of the fixed outer frame;

[0020] The first gear is fixed to one end of the first connecting rod, a ratchet is fixed to the other end of the first connecting rod, and a rocker is arranged beside the ratchet; the first pawl is arranged on the rocker, and when the rocker moves, the first pawl meshes with the ratchet to drive the ratchet to rotate;

[0021] The second pawl is arranged on the outer frame and is used to lock the rotation of the ratchet wheel;

[0022] A second gear is fixed on one end of the second connecting rod, and the first gear is meshed and connected with the second gear; a steel cable is fixed on the second connecting rod.

[0023] Further: the tension leg platform includes a tripod frame;

[0024] N tension legs are arranged below each vertex of the triangular plate frame, and N is greater than or equal to 2.

[0025] Furthermore: the tension leg is made of steel wire cable.

[0026] Furthermore: the fixing structure adopts suction anchors, and the number of the suction anchors is four, three of which are fixed below the steel wire cable of the tripod frame; and the other suction anchor is arranged below the steel wire cable of the accelerated tightening device.

[0027] The present invention provides a tension leg buoy type single point mooring system, which is used for the mooring of ships in sea areas with different water depths, and has the following advantages: the compliant tension leg and buoy are integrated, and the built-in ballast water tank can flexibly adjust the buoyancy. The rigid rod is fixed to the buoy via a slide rail and a slide plate, which ensures flexibility and prevents collision, thereby enhancing the safety of the system. The bottom is equipped with an accelerated retraction and release device, which can quickly hide the buoy under severe sea conditions, protect the system when not working, and quickly release it to the sea surface for operation when needed. This device realizes instant switching of the buoy state, effectively prolongs the life of the system, and demonstrates excellent performance and adaptability. The tension leg platform is combined with an adjustable buoy structure and equipped with an accelerated retraction and release device. The accelerated retraction and release system can retract the buoy under the sea surface when a severe environment occurs, so as to improve the safety of the entire single point mooring system and extend its service life.

[0028] The buoy mooring system has many advantages in design, as follows:

[0029] Environmentally friendly design: Its non-catenary design effectively reduces the occupation of sea area and the interference with marine biological ecology, reflecting the respect and protection of the marine environment.

[0030] Efficient and stable structure: Combining the tension leg and suction anchor fixed foundation, the tension leg structure not only occupies a small sea area, but also has excellent environmental adaptability, effectively extending the service life of the buoy. In addition, the offshore installation process of the tension leg and suction anchor is fast, efficient and low-cost, further improving the economy of the system.

[0031] Safety protection and flexibility: The unique design of the system's bollard and tie rod effectively prevents collisions between ships and buoys, while the slide and spherical articulation provide the necessary freedom of movement for the ship, significantly enhancing the safety of mooring and the durability of the bollard. The built-in ballast tank of the buoy gives the system greater flexibility to meet different operational requirements.

[0032] Cost optimization and environmental protection: The design of the bottom triangular frame minimizes the number of tension legs while ensuring the stability of the buoy, effectively reducing construction costs and the impact on the marine environment. This design concept embodies the efficient use of resources and sustainable protection of the environment.

[0033] Emergency and operational flexibility: It is particularly worth mentioning that the accelerated retraction device at the bottom of the system enables the buoy to be quickly hidden in severe sea conditions, providing additional protection for the system. This function can also play a role in non-working conditions to ensure the safety of the system. When needed, the buoy can be quickly released to the sea surface for operation, demonstrating extremely high operational flexibility and emergency response capabilities.

[0034] In summary, this buoy mooring system has set a new benchmark in the field of marine engineering with its excellent environmental protection, high efficiency and stability, safety protection, cost-effectiveness and emergency flexibility. This system not only promotes the sustainable use of marine resources, but also ensures the harmonious coexistence of marine ecology. Its flexible and changeable operation mode and efficient emergency response mechanism provide strong support for marine operations and ensure the safety and efficiency of operations. In the future, with the continuous advancement of technology, this buoy mooring system is expected to play an important role in a wider range of fields and promote the sustainable development of the marine economy. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0035] In order to more clearly illustrate the embodiments of the present invention or the technical solutions in the prior art, the drawings required for use in the embodiments or the description of the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are some embodiments of the present invention. For ordinary technicians in this field, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without paying creative labor.

[0036] Figure 1 It is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of the novel tension-leg buoy mooring system of the present invention;

[0037] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of the three-dimensional structure of the bollard part of the present invention;

[0038] Figure 3 It is a schematic diagram of the three-dimensional structure of the position of the accelerated retracting and releasing device of the present invention;

[0039] Figure 4 It is a schematic diagram of the three-dimensional structure of the accelerated retracting and releasing device of the present invention;

[0040] Figure 5 (a) is a front view of the accelerating retractable device, (b) is a front view of the accelerating retractable device, and (c) is a top view of the accelerating retractable device;

[0041] Figure 6 (a) is a three-dimensional structural diagram I of the tension leg structure of the present invention, (b) is a three-dimensional structural diagram II of the tension leg structure, (c) is a three-dimensional structural diagram III of the tension leg structure of the present invention,

[0042] Figure numerals: 1. rigid tie rod; 2. fixed shaft; 3. slide; 4. buoy; 5. middle ballast tank; 6. triangular plate frame; 7. tension leg; 8. fixed outer frame; 9. rocker; 10. pawl; 11. ratchet; 12. first gear; 13. second gear 13; 14. wire cable; 15. suction anchor; 100. bollard module; 101. buoy device; 102. accelerated retraction and release device; 103. tension leg platform; 104. fixed module. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0043] It should be noted that, in the absence of conflict, the embodiments of the present invention and the features in the embodiments may be combined with each other. The present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and in combination with the embodiments.

[0044] In order to make the purpose, technical solutions and advantages of the embodiments of the present invention clearer, the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below in conjunction with the drawings 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. The following description of at least one exemplary embodiment is actually only illustrative and is by no means intended to limit the present invention and its application or use. 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.

[0045] Figure 1 It is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of the novel tension-leg buoy mooring system of the present invention;

[0046] A tension leg buoy type single point mooring system, comprising:

[0047] Bollard module 100: used for connection with a ship;

[0048] The buoy 4 device 101 is used to stably float on the sea surface and allow the ship to moor at a single point; the bollard module 100 is arranged at the middle position of the top of the buoy 4 device 101;

[0049] The accelerating retracting and releasing device 102 is used to adjust the buoyancy of the buoy 4 to float on the sea surface or sink under the seabed;

[0050] Tension leg 7 platform 103: used to support the buoy 4 device 101, and arranged directly below the buoy 4 device 101;

[0051] Fixing module 104 is used to fix the quick tightening device and the tension leg 7 platform 103 .

[0052] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of the three-dimensional structure of the bollard part of the present invention;

[0053] The bollard module 100 comprises a fixed shaft 2 and two rigid tie rods 1;

[0054] A slide groove is provided on the fixed shaft 2;

[0055] The slide trough is provided with a slide plate 3 with a slide rail;

[0056] Two rigid tie rods 1 are overlapped in a triangle shape, with one end of the two rigid tie rods 1 connected to the bow of the ship, and the other ends of the two rigid tie rods 1 are respectively connected to the two ends of the slide 3 by a spherical hinge; the tie rods have freedom in the up and down directions for the slide 3, which can ensure the heave and sink movement of the hull in the waves; at the same time, the design of the rigid rod is different from that of the flexible mooring cable, which can limit the horizontal movement of the ship relative to the buoy 4, and can prevent the ship from colliding with the buoy 4 due to the action of wind and waves, thereby improving the safety of the buoy 4 and effectively extending the service life of the buoy 4.

[0057] The slide 3 is connected to the fixed shaft 2 through a slide groove. The arc-shaped slide 3 can rotate around the fixed shaft 2 to ensure the horizontal rotation of the ship under wind, wave and current conditions. The slide 3 has two contact points and adopts an arc form that fits the axis surface, which can reduce the stress concentration of the tie rod at this point and improve the fatigue strength of the bollard part. The design of the bollard part can prevent the collision between the ship and the buoy 4, and ensure the flexibility required for the movement of the ship.

[0058] The slide groove is 360 degrees slotted, that is, the arc-shaped slide can rotate 360 ​​degrees around the bollard, and the arc of the arc-shaped slide 3 is 120 degrees.

[0059] Furthermore, the buoy 4 device 101 includes a buoy 4 and a middle ballast tank 5 arranged inside the buoy 4, and 6 ballast tanks are arranged at the bottom of the buoy to adjust the floating state of the buoy 4, thereby ensuring the flexibility of the buoy 4 and the stability of the mooring system.

[0060] Figure 3 It is a schematic diagram of the three-dimensional structure of the position of the accelerated retracting and releasing device of the present invention;

[0061] Figure 4 It is a schematic diagram of the three-dimensional structure of the accelerated retracting and releasing device of the present invention;

[0062] Figure 5 (a) is a front view of the accelerating retractable device, (b) is a front view of the accelerating retractable device, and (c) is a top view of the accelerating retractable device;

[0063] The accelerating retracting device 102 comprises a fixed outer frame 8; the fixed outer frame 8 is in a square shape;

[0064] A first connecting rod, a second connecting rod, a rocker 9, a first pawl 10, a ratchet 11, a first gear 12, a second gear 13, a steel cable, and a second pawl are arranged inside the fixed outer frame 8;

[0065] The diameter of the first gear 12 is greater than the diameter of the second gear 13;

[0066] The connecting rod is fixed to the frame bodies on both sides of the fixed outer frame 8;

[0067] The first gear 12 is fixed to one end of the first connecting rod, a ratchet is fixed to the other end of the first connecting rod, and a rocker is arranged next to the ratchet; the first pawl 10 is arranged on the rocker 9, and when the rocker 9 moves, the first pawl 10 meshes with the ratchet 11 to drive the ratchet to rotate;

[0068] The second pawl is arranged on the fixed outer frame 8 and is used to lock the rotation of the ratchet wheel 11;

[0069] When the buoy is retracted underwater, the two pawls both clamp the ratchet wheel, thereby fixing the position of the buoy. When the buoy needs to float to the surface for work, the diver pushes the pawl to release it.

[0070] A second gear 13 is fixed to one end of the second connecting rod, and the first gear 12 is meshedly connected with the second gear 13; a steel cable 14 is fixed to the second connecting rod.

[0071] The accelerated retracting device 102 is fixed to the bottom of the buoy 4 and connected to the anchoring structure on the seabed through a steel cable. The fixed outer frame 8 is fixed to the triangular frame 6 at the bottom of the buoy 4. The working principle of the accelerated retracting device 102 can be described as lifting and pressing the rocker 9 to control the pawl 10 to push the ratchet 11 to rotate. The pawl 10 located on the fixed outer frame 8 plays a role in limiting the reverse rotation of the ratchet 11. The ratchet 11 is coaxial with the first gear 12. The rotation of the ratchet 11 drives the large gear to rotate. The first gear 12 is engaged with the second gear 13 to transmit its power. The rotating shaft where the second gear 13 is located retracts the steel cable and retracts the buoy 4 below the sea surface. The specific implementation scenario is: when dangerous sea conditions come or the mooring system is in a non-working state, the diver dives to the accelerated retracting device 102 below the buoy 4, and the diver holds the rocker 9 and lifts and presses it down with a stable force and speed. The movement of the rocker 9 will be converted into a linear pulling force on the steel cable through the internal gear set. As the rocker 9 is continuously lifted and pressed down, the steel cable is gradually tightened to the required degree. The ratchet 11 mechanism is the core component of the accelerated tightening device, which realizes efficient force conversion and stable tightening of the steel cable. The teeth on the ratchet 11 engage with the pawl 10, allowing the rocker 9 to rotate freely only in the tightening direction, while encountering resistance in the opposite direction, thereby ensuring that each time the rocker 9 is pulled, the steel cable can be effectively tightened, even in the event of unexpected situations, such as sudden external force impact, the steel cable can be effectively prevented from loosening. When the buoy 4 needs to resume working state, the diver needs to turn the pawl 10 to release the lock of the retractor and allow the steel cable to return to its initial position after the tension is released. The buoy 4 floats underwater, and the pre-tensioning force of the tension leg 7 is relaxed, thereby extending the service life of the entire mooring system, and the switching of the retracting and releasing state further enhances the flexibility of the system.

[0072] Figure 6(a) is a three-dimensional structural diagram I of the tension leg structure of the present invention, (b) is a three-dimensional structural diagram II of the tension leg structure, (c) is a three-dimensional structural diagram III of the tension leg structure of the present invention,

[0073] The tension leg 7 platform 103 includes a triangular plate frame 6; the purpose is to reduce the number of tension legs 7 on the basis of ensuring the stability of the buoy 4, thereby reducing the impact on the marine environment;

[0074] N tension legs 7 are arranged below each vertex of the triangular frame 6, and N is greater than or equal to 2.

[0075] The tension leg 7 is made of steel cable;

[0076] The fixing structure adopts suction anchors, and the number of the suction anchors is four, of which three suction anchors 15 are fixed below the steel wire cable of the triangular plate frame 6; and the other suction anchor 15 is arranged below the steel wire cable of the accelerated tightening device.

[0077] This design has its unique advantages, including pre-tension stability: the tension leg 7 fixes the buoy 4 in the deep sea in a vertical tensioning manner, and uses the excess buoyancy of the ballast tank 5 of the buoy 4 to balance the pre-tension, which significantly improves the platform's deep-sea adaptability and is more stable and reliable than the anchor chain system. Compliant structure: the platform maintains stability through the pre-tension of the tension leg 7. Its compliant design effectively resists complex sea conditions such as wind, waves and currents, reduces the impact of environmental loads, and ensures the safety of the platform. Fatigue resistance and long life: the use of materials such as high-strength steel pipes and fatigue-resistant synthetic fiber cables ensures long-term stable operation of the system and meets the long life requirements of deep-sea operations. Economic and efficient: the tension leg 7 has a compact structure, saves sea surface space, promotes large-scale oil and gas field development, and reduces costs. The onshore prefabrication and offshore overall installation mode simplifies the installation process and reduces the difficulty and cost of offshore operations. The lightweight design of the buoy 4 further reduces the burden of transportation and installation. Wide water depth adaptability: the system cost is not limited by water depth, and it is suitable for various water depth environments, showing strong application flexibility. Innovation in seabed anchoring: The suction anchor foundation uses the principle of negative pressure to sink into the seabed, forming a solid bond with the soft clay, providing strong pull-out resistance, which is particularly suitable for soft clay seabed environments and enhances the stability of the overall system.

[0078] This system combines the anchoring advantages of the suction anchor 15 and the vertical tension stability of the tension leg 7, becoming the preferred solution in the field of deep-sea resource development.

[0079] Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present invention, rather than to limit it. Although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the aforementioned embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that they can still modify the technical solutions described in the aforementioned embodiments, or replace some or all of the technical features therein with equivalents. However, these modifications or replacements do not cause the essence of the corresponding technical solutions to deviate from the scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention.

[0080] The present invention discloses a tension leg buoy type single point mooring system, comprising: a bollard module: used for connecting with a ship; a buoy device: used for stably floating on the sea surface, so that the ship can be moored at a single point; the bollard module is arranged at the middle position of the top of the buoy device; an accelerated retraction device: used for adjusting the buoyancy of the buoy, floating on the sea surface or sinking under the seabed; a tension leg platform: used for supporting the buoy device, and arranged directly below the buoy device; a fixing module: used for fixing the quick tightening device and the tension leg platform. This device realizes instant switching of the buoy state, effectively prolongs the life of the system, and demonstrates excellent performance and adaptability. The tension leg system is combined with an adjustable buoy structure and equipped with an accelerated retraction device. When a harsh environment comes, the accelerated retraction system can retract the buoy under the sea surface to improve the safety of the entire single point mooring system and prolong its service life.

Claims

1. A tension leg buoy type single point mooring system, characterized in that: include: Bollard module: used to connect with the ship; Buoy device: used to stably float on the sea surface and allow the ship to moor at a single point; The bollard module is arranged at the middle position of the top of the buoy device; Accelerating retracting and releasing device: used to adjust the buoyancy of the buoy to float on the sea surface or sink under the seabed; Tension leg platform: used to support the buoy device and arranged directly below the buoy device; Fixing module: fix the quick tightening device and the tension leg platform.

2. A tension leg buoy type single point mooring system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The bollard module comprises a fixed shaft and two rigid tie rods; A slide groove is arranged on the fixed shaft; The slide groove is provided with a slide plate with a slide rail; The two rigid tie rods are overlapped in a triangular shape, one end of the two rigid tie rods is connected to the bow of the ship, and the other ends of the two rigid tie rods are respectively connected to the two ends of the sliding plate by means of a spherical hinge; The slide is connected to the fixed shaft through a slide groove.

3. A tension leg buoy type single point mooring system according to claim 1, characterized in that: Contact points are respectively arranged at both ends of the sliding plate, in the form of an arc that fits the axial surface; the arc of the arc-shaped sliding plate is 120 degrees.

4. A tension leg buoy type single point mooring system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The accelerated retracting and releasing device comprises a fixed outer frame; A first connecting rod, a second connecting rod, a rocker, a first pawl, a ratchet, a second pawl, a first gear, a second gear, and a steel cable are arranged inside the fixed outer frame; The diameter of the first gear is greater than the diameter of the second gear; The connecting rod is fixed to the frame bodies on both sides of the fixed outer frame; The first gear is fixed to one end of the first connecting rod, a ratchet is fixed to the other end of the first connecting rod, and a rocker is arranged beside the ratchet; the first pawl is arranged on the rocker, and when the rocker moves, the first pawl meshes with the ratchet to drive the ratchet to rotate; The second pawl is arranged on the outer frame and is used to lock the rotation of the ratchet wheel; A second gear is fixed on one end of the second connecting rod, and the first gear is meshed and connected with the second gear; a steel cable is fixed on the second connecting rod.

5. A tension leg buoy type single point mooring system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The tension leg platform comprises a tripod frame; N tension legs are arranged below each vertex of the triangular plate frame, and N is greater than or equal to 2.

6. A tension leg buoy type single point mooring system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The tension leg is made of steel wire cable.

7. A tension leg buoy type single point mooring system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The fixing structure adopts suction anchors, and the number of the suction anchors is four, three of which are fixed below the steel wire cable of the tripod frame; and the other suction anchor is arranged below the steel wire cable of the accelerated tightening device.

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