A seabed flip cover suction anchor

Abstract

The present application relates to the field of deep sea drilling and ocean engineering, and particularly relates to a seabed flip type suction anchor, which comprises an outer cylinder and an inner cylinder, the outer cylinder is rotationally connected with a hatch, the inner cylinder is provided with a rotating assembly, the rotating assembly comprises a first support plate, the first support plate is connected with a second support plate, the second support plate is rotationally connected with a driving ring, the driving ring is provided with end face meshing teeth, the end face meshing teeth are connected with a driving gear, the driving ring is connected with the inner cylinder, the driving gear is provided with a driving hole, and the driving hole is used for penetrating a torque wrench of an ROV. Through the setting of the rotating assembly, the inner cylinder is penetrated into the seabed soil layer at the bottom, and the whole suction anchor is driven to descend by negative pressure, and the inner cylinder is also driven to rotate by the ROV. In the sinking process, the inner cylinder produces a cutting effect caused by rotation in addition to the downward pressure on the soil body, so as to reduce the influence of the sinking resistance, facilitate the sinking of the whole suction anchor under the joint action of suction force and torque, and improve the sinking efficiency of the suction anchor.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the fields of deep-sea drilling and marine engineering, specifically to a seabed flip-top suction anchor. Background Technology

[0002] The suction anchor is a steel cylinder closed at the top and open at the bottom, with a suction port at the top. During offshore operations, the suction anchor is suspended to the seabed and slowly sinks to a certain depth in the silt layer under its own weight. Then, the suction pump driven by the ROV pumps the seawater inside the suction anchor out through the suction port, creating a pressure difference between the inside and outside of the steel cylinder. This presses the suction anchor down into the deeper silt layer until the bottom of the top cover of the suction anchor contacts the mud surface, and finally, the suction anchor is deeply embedded in the mud layer.

[0003] In existing technologies, suction anchors are usually pressed down in a straight line. However, in reality, the resistance of the seabed soil layer to the suction anchor is relatively large, and the downward pressure provided by the negative pressure is limited, resulting in a low sinking efficiency of the suction anchor into the seabed soil layer. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The technical solution adopted by this invention to solve its technical problem is: to provide a seabed flip-top suction anchor, comprising:

[0005] The outer cylinder is rotatably connected to a hatch cover, which is equipped with a drain valve and a water suction hole. The drain valve is used to discharge seawater, and the water suction hole is used to connect an external suction pump. The hatch cover is equipped with a fixing component, which is used to fix the hatch cover and the outer cylinder relative to each other.

[0006] The inner cylinder is equipped with a rotating assembly, and the outer cylinder and the inner cylinder are rotatably connected through the rotating assembly.

[0007] The rotating assembly is driven to rotate by the ROV. The rotating assembly includes a first support plate connected to the outer cylinder, and a second support plate connected to the first support plate. The inner cylinder is provided with a drive ring, and the drive ring and the second support plate are rotatably connected. The drive ring is provided with end face meshing teeth, and a drive gear is connected to the end face meshing teeth. The drive gear is used to connect the torque wrench of the ROV. When embedded in the seabed soil layer, the ROV drives the drive gear to rotate, which in turn causes the drive ring to drive the inner cylinder to rotate.

[0008] Furthermore, the outer wall of the inner cylinder is provided with a threaded section and a smooth section. The threaded section is closer to the hatch cover than the smooth section. When buried in the seabed soil layer, the smooth section enters the seabed soil layer first.

[0009] Furthermore, the inner wall of the inner cylinder is provided with a baffle, the baffle is provided with a through hole, the through hole connects the inside of the outer cylinder and the inside of the inner cylinder, and a cavity is formed between the baffle and the inner cylinder.

[0010] Furthermore, the rotating assembly also includes a plurality of plastic screws, and the second support plate is provided with a plurality of push blocks, the plastic screws being used to connect the first support plate and the plurality of push blocks.

[0011] Furthermore, the first support plate has an inner conical surface, and the push block has an outer conical surface that matches the inner conical surface. When the outer cylinder slides relative to the inner cylinder, the first support plate slides relative to the push block, causing the plastic screw to be cut off. The push block is pushed to slide through the inner conical surface, causing the push block to hold the inner cylinder tightly against the outer cylinder.

[0012] Furthermore, the fixing assembly includes a first fixing member and a second fixing frame. The first fixing member is rotatably connected to the outer cylinder and has a screw threaded through it. A fixing nut is threaded onto the screw. The second fixing frame has a fixing groove. When the hatch cover and the outer cylinder are fixed, the first fixing member rotates and causes the screw to pass into the fixing groove. The fixing nut is used to fix the screw to the second fixing frame.

[0013] Furthermore, the second support plate is provided with a support frame, and the support frame is provided with a spacer slot for placing the push block.

[0014] Furthermore, the support frame is provided with a limiting groove, and the pushing block is provided with a limiting bolt corresponding to the limiting groove. The limiting bolt passes through the limiting groove and is slidably disposed within the limiting groove.

[0015] Furthermore, the outer cylinder end is provided with a sliding part, the inner cylinder is provided with a sliding groove, the sliding part passes through the sliding groove, and the inner wall of the sliding groove is provided with a sealing ring one and a sealing ring two. The sealing ring one corresponds to the outer wall of the sliding part, and the sealing ring two corresponds to the inner wall of the sliding part. The sealing ring one and the sealing ring two are used to seal the gap between the sliding part and the sliding groove.

[0016] Furthermore, the outer cylinder is provided with a sealing part at its end, and a sealing ring three is provided in the sliding groove. The sealing part and the sealing ring three correspond to each other. When the inner cylinder slides relative to the outer cylinder, the sealing part slides and presses the sealing ring three. The sealing ring three is used to seal the gap between the sliding groove and the sliding part.

[0017] The beneficial effects of this invention are: by setting the rotating component, the inner cylinder penetrates the seabed soil layer at the bottom, and when the entire suction anchor is driven to descend by negative pressure, the inner cylinder is also driven to rotate by ROV. During the sinking process, in addition to generating downward pressure on the soil, the inner cylinder also generates a cutting effect caused by rotation, which reduces the impact of sinking resistance and facilitates the sinking of the entire suction anchor under the combined action of suction and torque, thereby improving the sinking efficiency of the suction anchor. Attached Figure Description

[0018] The present invention will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments.

[0019] In the picture: Figure 1 This invention provides an overall structural diagram of a seabed flip-top suction anchor;

[0020] Figure 2 for Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of the seabed flip-top suction anchor shown;

[0021] Figure 3 for Figure 2 Enlarged view of point A in the middle;

[0022] Figure 4 for Figure 2 Enlarged view at point B in the middle;

[0023] Figure 5 for Figure 2 Enlarged view at point C;

[0024] Figure 6 for Figure 2 Exploded view of the partial structure shown;

[0025] Figure 7 for Figure 2 A three-dimensional structural diagram of the part shown;

[0026] Figure 8 for Figure 2 The diagram shows a three-dimensional structural representation of the part shown.

[0027] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached drawings: 10. Outer cylinder; 11. Hatch cover; 12. Water suction hole; 13. Sealing part; 14. Sliding part; 21. First fixing part; 211. Screw; 212. Fixing nut; 22. Second fixing bracket; 221. Fixing groove; 30. Inner cylinder; 31. Threaded section; 32. Smooth section; 33. Cavity; 34. Baffle; 341. Through hole; 351. Sliding groove; 352. Sealing ring one; 353. Sealing ring two; 354. Sealing ring three; 4 0. Rotating assembly; 41. First support plate; 411. Inner conical surface; 42. Second support plate; 421. First plate body; 422. Second plate body; 43. Drive ring; 431. End face meshing teeth; 44. Drive gear; 441. Drive hole; 4411. Torque wrench; 442. Bearing; 45. Plastic screw; 46. Push block; 461. Outer conical surface; 462. Limit bolt; 47. Support frame; 471. Spacing groove; 472. Limiting slide groove. Detailed Implementation

[0028] To make the technical problem to be solved, the technical solution, and the beneficial effects of this invention clearer, the invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. This drawing is a simplified schematic diagram, illustrating only the basic aspects of the invention, and therefore only shows the components relevant to the invention. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some, not all, of the embodiments of this invention. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments of this invention without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this invention.

[0029] Please refer to Figure 1 and Figure 2 The present invention provides a seabed flip-top suction anchor, including an outer cylinder 10, an inner cylinder 30 and a rotating assembly 40. The outer cylinder 10 and the inner cylinder 30 are rotatably connected by the rotating assembly 40. The outer cylinder 10 is rotatably connected to a hatch cover 11. The hatch cover 11 is provided with a drain valve (not shown in the figure) and a water pumping hole 12. The drain valve is used to discharge seawater, and the water pumping hole 12 is used to connect an external suction pump.

[0030] Please refer to Figure 2 and Figure 3 The hatch cover 11 is provided with a fixing assembly for fixing the hatch cover 11 and the outer cylinder 10 relative to each other. Specifically, in this embodiment, the fixing assembly includes a first fixing member 21 and a second fixing frame 22. The first fixing member 21 is rotatably connected to the outer cylinder 10, and a screw 211 passes through the first fixing member 21. A fixing nut 212 is threaded onto the screw 211. The second fixing frame 22 is provided with a fixing groove 221. When the hatch cover 11 and the outer cylinder 10 are fixed, the first fixing member 21 rotates and causes the screw 211 to pass into the fixing groove 221. The fixing nut 212 is used to fix the screw 211 to the second fixing frame 22.

[0031] Please refer to Figure 1 and Figure 2 The outer wall of the inner cylinder 30 is provided with a threaded section 31 and a smooth section 32. The threaded section 31 is closer to the hatch cover 11 than the smooth section 32. When buried in the seabed soil layer, the smooth section 32 enters the seabed soil layer first. By setting the threaded section 31, the contact area between the soil and the foundation is increased, thereby improving the pull-out bearing capacity of the foundation.

[0032] Please refer to Figure 2 and Figure 6The inner wall of the inner cylinder 30 is provided with a baffle 34, forming a cavity 33 between the inner cylinder 30 and the baffle 34. The baffle 34 is provided with a through hole 341, which connects the interior of the outer cylinder 10 and the interior of the inner cylinder 30. The baffle 34 and the through hole 341 create a cavity 33 between the inner cylinder 30 and the outer cylinder 10. The baffle 34 blocks the seabed soil layer, limiting the amount of seabed soil layer entering the cavity 33. This reduces the soil plugging effect during sinking, which could cause the soil to prematurely contact the top plate of the anchor, hindering the continued sinking of the suction anchor and preventing the sinking from reaching the designed depth. Reducing the impact of the soil plugging effect facilitates the bonding between the suction anchor and the seabed soil layer.

[0033] Please refer to Figure 4 , Figure 6 and Figure 7 The rotating assembly 40 is driven to rotate by the ROV. The rotating assembly 40 includes a first support plate 41 connected to the outer cylinder 10, and a second support plate 42 connected to the first support plate 41. The inner cylinder 30 is provided with a drive ring 43, which is rotatably connected to the second support plate 42. The drive ring 43 is provided with end face meshing teeth 431, and a drive gear 44 is connected to the end face meshing teeth 431. The drive gear 44 is rotatably connected to the second support plate 42. The drive gear 44 is provided with a drive hole 441 for connecting a torque wrench 4411 of the ROV. When embedded in the seabed soil, the ROV drives the drive gear 44 to rotate, which in turn causes the drive ring 43 to drive the inner cylinder 30 to rotate.

[0034] Specifically, in this embodiment, the drive gear 44 is a bevel gear, and there are multiple drive gears 44. Some of the drive gears 44 are driving gears, which connect the torque wrench 4411 of the ROV to the driving hole 441 of these drive gears 44 when the inner cylinder 30 rotates relative to the outer cylinder 10. The remaining drive gears 44 are driven gears. To facilitate the assembly of the drive gears 44 and the end face meshing teeth 431, the second support plate 42 includes a first plate 421 and a second plate 422 connected by bolts. The second plate 422 has a through hole (not shown in the figure) corresponding to the drive gear 44, and a bearing 442 for supporting the drive gear 44 is provided in the through hole. During assembly, the drive gear 44 and the end face meshing teeth 431 on the drive ring 43 are placed in the second plate 422, and then the first plate 421 is placed on the drive ring 43. The first plate 421 and the second plate 422 are then fixed by bolts.

[0035] By incorporating the rotating component 40, the bottom of the inner cylinder 30 penetrates the seabed soil layer under its own weight to form a sealed space. When the suction anchor descends under the negative pressure generated by the external suction pump, the inner cylinder 30 is also driven to rotate via the ROV. This results in the inner cylinder 30 exerting downward pressure on the soil and also generating a cutting effect from rotation during the sinking process. This reduces the impact of sinking resistance, facilitating the sinking of the entire suction anchor under the combined action of suction and torque, and improving the sinking efficiency of the suction anchor.

[0036] Please refer to Figure 5 The rotating assembly 40 also includes a plurality of plastic screws 45, and the second support plate 42 is provided with a plurality of push blocks 46. The plastic screws 45 are used to connect the first support plate 41 and the plurality of push blocks 46. Specifically, in this embodiment, the plurality of push blocks 46 are evenly distributed circumferentially along the outer wall of the inner cylinder 30.

[0037] After the inner cylinder 30 rotates via the rotating assembly 40 and embeds itself into the seabed soil, the position of the inner cylinder 30 relative to the seabed soil is fixed, and the ROV driving the rotation of the inner cylinder 30 stops working. The suction pump for extracting seawater continues to operate. Under the action of negative pressure, the outer cylinder 10 and the hatch cover 11 continue to move downward, thereby causing the plastic screw 45 to be stressed and cut off, and the connection between the first support plate 41 and the push block 46 is cut off. The first support plate 41 drives the outer cylinder 10 and the hatch cover 11 downward, thereby causing the volume of the cavity 33 between the outer cylinder 10 and the inner baffle 34 of the inner cylinder 30 to gradually decrease until the distance between the baffle 34 and the hatch cover 11 is reduced to a minimum value. The cavity 33 and the inner cylinder 30 are both filled with soil. The pumping ends, the negative pressure disappears, and the entire suction anchor is completely embedded in the seabed soil.

[0038] With the installation of plastic screws 45, the first support plate 41 and the push block 46 form a relatively stable connection structure under the action of plastic screws 45. This ensures that the inner cylinder 30 and the outer cylinder 10 form a relatively stable connection structure before the inner cylinder 30 is completely penetrated into the seabed soil layer. It also ensures that there is a stable height difference between the inner cylinder 30 and the outer cylinder 10 before the plastic screws 45 cut them off. In conjunction with the inner baffle 34 of the inner cylinder 30, it further prevents the soil from prematurely contacting the hatch cover 11 under the influence of the soil plug effect, which would affect the continued sinking of the entire suction anchor and reduce the possibility of the sinking not reaching the design depth.

[0039] Please refer to Figure 5The first support plate 41 has an inner conical surface 411, and the pushing block 46 has an outer conical surface 461 that matches the inner conical surface 411. The first support plate 41 pushes the pushing block 46 to slide through the inner conical surface 411, causing the pushing block 46 to hold the inner cylinder 30 tightly against the outer cylinder 10. Due to the arrangement of the inner conical surface 411 and the outer conical surface 461, when the outer cylinder 10 slides relative to the inner cylinder 30 under negative pressure, the first support plate 41 slides relative to the pushing block 46, causing the plastic screw 45 to be cut, and the hatch cover 11 and the outer cylinder 10 to descend relative to the inner cylinder 30, completing the sinking process. The volume of the cavity 33 between the outer cylinder 10 and the inner cylinder 30 decreases, and soil is gradually filled in. At this time, the push block 46 slides radially along the outer cylinder 10 and holds the inner cylinder 30 tightly onto the outer cylinder 10, thereby improving the stability of the connection between the inner cylinder 30 and the outer cylinder 10 after the sinking is completed, and the outer cylinder 10 and the hatch cover 11 are less likely to leave the inner cylinder 30 due to seawater erosion after the sinking is completed.

[0040] Please refer to Figure 6 and Figure 8 The second support plate 42 is provided with a support frame 47, and the support frame 47 has a spacer groove 471 for placing the push block 46. The support frame 47 provides circumferential restraint to the push block 46, making it difficult for the push block 46 to move circumferentially relative to the inner cylinder 30, allowing only radial movement, thus improving the stability of the push block 46's sliding. Specifically, the support frame 47 and the first plate 421 are fixed together by bolts.

[0041] Please refer to Figure 5 , Figure 6 and Figure 8 The support frame 47 is provided with a limiting groove 472, and the pushing block 46 is provided with a limiting bolt 462 corresponding to the limiting groove 472. The limiting bolt 462 passes through the limiting groove 472 and is slidably disposed within the limiting groove 472. By setting the limiting bolt 462 and the limiting groove 472, the pushing block 46 is axially limited, so that the pushing block 46 can only slide radially relative to the support frame 47, further improving the sliding stability of the pushing block 46.

[0042] Please refer to Figure 5 The outer cylinder 10 has a sliding part 14 at its end, and the inner cylinder 30 has a sliding groove 351, with the sliding part 14 passing through the sliding groove 351. The sliding part 14 and the sliding groove 351 work together to guide the sliding between the outer cylinder 10 and the inner cylinder 30. Simultaneously, the sliding part 14 and the sliding groove 351 extend the path for seawater to enter the inner cylinder 30 and the outer cylinder 10, thereby reducing the possibility of external seawater entering the inner cylinder 30 and the outer cylinder 10 when negative pressure is formed, ensuring a tight seal.

[0043] Please refer to Figure 5The inner wall of the sliding groove 351 is provided with a sealing ring 352 and a sealing ring 353. The sealing ring 352 corresponds to the outer wall of the sliding part 14, and the sealing ring 353 corresponds to the inner wall of the sliding part 14. The sealing ring 352 and the sealing ring 353 are used to seal the gap between the sliding part 14 and the sliding groove 351.

[0044] By setting sealing ring 352 and sealing ring 353, the bottom of the inner cylinder 30 penetrates into the seabed soil layer by its own weight, making it difficult for seawater to enter the inner cylinder 30 and outer cylinder 10 through the gap between the inner cylinder 30 and the outer cylinder 10 and thus affect the formation of negative pressure, thereby further improving the sealing performance.

[0045] Please refer to Figure 5 The outer cylinder 10 has a sealing part 13 at its end, and a sealing ring 354 is provided in the sliding groove 351. The sealing part 13 and the sealing ring 354 correspond to each other. When the inner cylinder 30 slides relative to the outer cylinder 10, the sealing part 13 slides and presses the sealing ring 354. The sealing ring 354 is used to seal the gap between the sliding groove 351 and the sliding part 14. With the setting of the sealing ring 354, the inner cylinder 30 slides relative to the outer cylinder 10 until the outer cylinder 10 is completely embedded in the seabed soil layer. Then, the sealing part 13 presses the sealing ring 354, further sealing the gap between the sliding groove 351 and the sliding part 14. Seawater is less likely to enter the inner cylinder 30 and the outer cylinder 10 from the gap between the inner cylinder 30 and the outer cylinder 10 and scour the seabed soil layer inside the outer cylinder 10 and the inner cylinder 30, thereby improving the stability of the connection between the entire suction anchor and the seabed soil layer.

[0046] Specifically, in this embodiment, the sealing ring 354 is a lip-shaped sealing ring, and the inner wall of the sliding groove 351 is provided with grooves (not shown in the figure) that limit the sealing ring 352, the sealing ring 353, and the sealing ring 354 respectively, so that the sealing ring 352, the sealing ring 353, and the sealing ring 354 are not easily dislodged from the sliding groove 351.

Claims

1. A seabed flip-top suction anchor, characterized in that, include: The outer cylinder (10) is rotatably connected to a hatch cover (11). The hatch cover (11) is provided with a drain valve and a water suction hole (12). The drain valve is used to discharge seawater, and the water suction hole (12) is used to connect an external suction pump. The hatch cover (11) is provided with a fixing component, which is used to fix the hatch cover (11) and the outer cylinder (10) relative to each other. Inner cylinder (30), the inner cylinder (30) is provided with a rotating assembly (40), the outer cylinder (10) and the inner cylinder (30) are rotatably connected by the rotating assembly (40); The rotating assembly (40) is driven to rotate by the ROV. The rotating assembly (40) includes a first support plate (41) connected to the outer cylinder (10). The first support plate (41) is connected to a second support plate (42). The inner cylinder (30) is provided with a drive ring (43). The drive ring (43) is rotatably connected to the second support plate (42). The drive ring (43) is provided with end face meshing teeth (431). The end face meshing teeth (431) are connected to a drive gear (44). The drive gear (44) is used to connect the torque wrench of the ROV. When embedded in the seabed soil layer, the drive gear (44) is driven to rotate by the ROV, and the drive ring (43) drives the inner cylinder (30) to rotate.

2. The subsea flip-top suction anchor according to claim 1, characterized in that: The outer wall of the inner cylinder (30) is provided with a threaded section (31) and a smooth section (32). The threaded section (31) is closer to the hatch cover (11) than the smooth section (32). When buried in the seabed soil layer, the smooth section (32) enters the seabed soil layer first.

3. The subsea flip-top suction anchor according to claim 1, characterized in that: The inner wall of the inner cylinder (30) is provided with a baffle (34), the baffle (34) is provided with a through hole (341), the through hole (341) connects the interior of the outer cylinder (10) and the interior of the inner cylinder (30), and a cavity (33) is formed between the baffle (34) and the inner cylinder (30).

4. The subsea flip-top suction anchor according to claim 1, characterized in that: The rotating assembly (40) also includes a plurality of plastic screws (45), and the second support plate (42) is provided with a plurality of push blocks (46). The plastic screws (45) are used to connect the first support plate (41) and the plurality of push blocks (46).

5. The subsea flip-top suction anchor according to claim 4, characterized in that: The first support plate (41) has an inner conical surface (411), and the push block (46) has an outer conical surface (461) that matches the inner conical surface (411). When the outer cylinder (10) slides relative to the inner cylinder (30), the first support plate (41) slides relative to the push block (46), causing the plastic screw (45) to be cut off, and the push block (46) is pushed to slide through the inner conical surface (411), causing the push block (46) to hold the inner cylinder (30) tightly on the outer cylinder (10).

6. The subsea flip-top suction anchor according to claim 1, characterized in that: The fixing assembly includes a first fixing member (21) and a second fixing frame (22). The first fixing member (21) is rotatably connected to the outer cylinder (10). A screw (211) is passed through the first fixing member (21). A fixing nut (212) is threaded onto the screw (211). A fixing groove (221) is provided on the second fixing frame (22). When the hatch cover (11) and the outer cylinder (10) are fixed, the first fixing member (21) rotates and causes the screw (211) to pass into the fixing groove (221). The fixing nut (212) is used to fix the screw (211) onto the second fixing frame (22).

7. The subsea flip-top suction anchor according to claim 1, characterized in that: The second support plate (42) is provided with a support frame (47), and the support frame (47) is provided with a spacer groove (471) for placing the push block (46).

8. The subsea flip-top suction anchor according to claim 7, characterized in that: The support frame (47) is provided with a limiting groove (472), and the push block (46) is provided with a limiting bolt (462) corresponding to the limiting groove (472). The limiting bolt (462) passes through the limiting groove (472) and is slidably disposed in the limiting groove (472).

9. The subsea flip-top suction anchor according to claim 1, characterized in that: The outer cylinder (10) has a sliding part (14) at its end, and the inner cylinder (30) has a sliding groove (351). The sliding part (14) passes through the sliding groove (351). The inner wall of the sliding groove (351) is provided with a sealing ring one (352) and a sealing ring two (353). The sealing ring one (352) corresponds to the outer wall of the sliding part (14), and the sealing ring two (353) corresponds to the inner wall of the sliding part (14). The sealing ring one (352) and the sealing ring two (353) are used to seal the gap between the sliding part (14) and the sliding groove (351).

10. The subsea flip-top suction anchor according to claim 9, characterized in that: The outer cylinder (10) is provided with a sealing part (13) at its end, and a sealing ring three (354) is provided in the sliding groove (351). The sealing part (13) and the sealing ring three (354) correspond to each other. When the inner cylinder (30) slides relative to the outer cylinder (10), the sealing part (13) slides and presses the sealing ring three (354). The sealing ring three (354) is used to seal the gap between the sliding groove (351) and the sliding part (14).

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