Underwater connecting device

Abstract

The utility model discloses an underwater connecting device, which belongs to the field of underwater oil and gas pipeline connection and is used for connecting two pipe sections, external threads and a plurality of pin holes are respectively arranged on the outer walls of two ends of each pipe section, and the underwater connecting device comprises a sleeve power cylinder and a power cabin; the inner walls of the two ends of the sleeve are provided with internal threads, annular flow channel grooves and a plurality of pressure cavities respectively, and the pressure cavities are communicated with the annular flow channel grooves through flow channel holes. A reset spring and a power pin are installed in the pressure cavity. The power pin is obliquely arranged, and the tip of the power pin faces the combination face of the two pipe sections. The power cylinder is fixed on the sleeve, the power cylinder is communicated with the annular runner groove, a piston is arranged in the power cylinder, the power cylinder is rotatably connected with a transmission screw rod, and the transmission screw rod is in threaded connection with the piston; the power cabin is detachably connected to the power cylinder, and an output shaft of a motor in the power cabin is connected with the transmission lead screw. Threaded connection operation is not needed, the installation tool further has the capacity of automatically floating and recycling, and the underwater workload of divers is greatly reduced.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The utility model relates to the technical field of underwater oil and gas pipeline connection, in particular to an underwater connection device. Background Art

[0002] With the development of offshore oil production, more and more new well slot reconstruction operations are being carried out on offshore platforms. The underwater wellhead is one of the key equipment for deepwater oil and gas exploration and development and semi-submersible platform drilling and completion operations. During the reconstruction and construction process, underwater installation and wellhead maintenance operations are often involved.

[0003] Since offshore oil and gas extraction often takes place in deep water, downhole pipelines cannot be installed all at once and require multiple sections of pipelines to be installed in combination. Therefore, pipeline connections need to be made at multiple locations and the interfaces between every two sections of pipeline need to be fixed.

[0004] When connecting existing underwater pipelines, manual work is usually adopted. The operator dives underwater, connects the two sections of the pipeline, and then installs the pipe clamp at the interface. The existing pipe clamp generally includes two semicircular pieces. After the two semicircular pieces are buckled together, they need to be fixed with multiple bolts, and the bolts need to be installed and removed manually.

[0005] However, during deep-water operations, operators have a short diving time, and installing a pipe clamp may require operators to enter the water multiple times for disassembly and assembly, which not only increases the safety risks during the construction process, but also greatly reduces work efficiency.

[0006] In the prior art, a Chinese utility model patent with announcement number CN220118893U discloses an underwater pipe connection device, which can reduce the number of bolt connections, but still requires bolt connections, making the underwater pipe connection work still time-consuming and cumbersome. Utility Model Content

[0007] In view of the problem in the prior art that underwater pipeline connection operations require multiple bolt connections, resulting in low connection efficiency, the purpose of the utility model is to provide an underwater connection device to at least partially solve the above problem.

[0008] To achieve the above purpose, the technical solution of the utility model is:

[0009] An underwater connection device is used to connect two pipe sections, and the outer walls at both ends of the pipe section are respectively provided with external threads and a plurality of pin holes evenly distributed in the circumferential direction, and the pin holes are blind holes. The underwater connection device comprises:

[0010] A sleeve, wherein the inner walls at both ends of the sleeve are respectively provided with internal threads and annular flow channel grooves, and a plurality of pressure chambers evenly distributed in the circumferential direction, wherein the internal threads are matched with the external threads, and the pressure chamber is connected with the annular flow channel grooves through flow channel holes; wherein a power pin matched with the pin hole is movably and sealingly installed in the pressure chamber, and a return spring is fixedly connected between the chamber bottom of the pressure chamber and the root of the power pin, and the power pin is arranged obliquely with the tip facing the joint surface of the two pipe sections;

[0011] It also includes a power cylinder and a power cabin, the power cylinder is fixedly connected to the outer wall of the sleeve, the power cylinder is communicated with the annular flow channel groove, a piston is provided in the power cylinder, a transmission screw is rotatably connected to the side wall of the power cylinder, the transmission screw is connected to the threaded hole opened on the piston, and the threaded hole is a blind hole; the power cabin is detachably connected to the power cylinder, and a battery and a motor electrically connected to each other are fixedly installed in the power cabin, the output shaft of the motor is connected to the transmission screw after passing through the cabin wall of the power cabin, and a waterproof button for controlling the start and stop state of the motor is installed on the surface of the power cabin.

[0012] In some embodiments, an elastic airbag is fixedly connected to the power cabin, the elastic airbag is filled with water-swellable material, quicklime or alkaline metal, and the elastic airbag is also connected to a water inlet valve.

[0013] In some embodiments, a buoyancy compartment is also fixed to the power compartment, the elastic airbag is located inside the buoyancy compartment, a through hole is opened on the buoyancy compartment for exposing the water inlet valve, and a buoyancy compartment door is detachably connected to the buoyancy compartment for the elastic airbag to pass through.

[0014] In some embodiments, a plurality of latches are provided on the power cabin, and a plurality of sockets are correspondingly provided on the power cylinder.

[0015] In some embodiments, the end of the plug and the bottom of the hole are respectively provided with magnets that attract each other.

[0016] In some embodiments, the end cross-section of the output shaft of the motor is square, and a square groove is correspondingly provided on the end surface of one end of the transmission screw facing the power compartment.

[0017] In some embodiments, the annular flow channel groove is located between the internal thread and the pressure chamber.

[0018] In some embodiments, two annular sealing grooves are further provided on the inner wall of the sleeve, the annular flow channel groove is located between the two annular sealing grooves, and an annular sealing ring is installed in the annular sealing groove.

[0019] By adopting the above technical scheme, the beneficial effect of the utility model is that the underwater connecting device provided by the utility model does not require divers to perform a large number of threaded connection operations during use, so that the connection and installation of two pipe sections can be achieved, and the installation tool also has the ability to float and recover by itself, thereby greatly reducing the underwater workload of divers. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] Figure 1 It is a schematic diagram of the structure of the utility model;

[0021] Figure 2 for Figure 1 A partial enlarged view of point A in the middle.

[0022] In the figure: 1-pipe section, 2-sealing ring, 3-sleeve, 4-annular flow channel groove, 5-pressure chamber, 6-annular sealing ring, 7-flow channel hole, 8-power pin, 9-reset spring, 10-power cylinder, 11-piston, 12-bearing, 13-transmission screw, 14-bearing gland, 15-power compartment, 16-latch pin, 17-motor, 18-waterproof button, 19-elastic airbag, 20-water inlet valve, 21-buoyancy compartment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0023] The specific implementation methods of the present invention are further described below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. It should be noted that the description of these implementation methods is used to help understand the present invention, but does not constitute a limitation of the present invention. In addition, the technical features involved in each implementation method of the present invention described below can be combined with each other as long as they do not conflict with each other.

[0024] It should be noted that, in the description of the present invention, the directions or positional relationships indicated by the terms "upper", "lower", "left", "right", "front", "back", etc. are based on the description of the structure of the present invention as shown in the accompanying drawings, and are only for the convenience of describing the present invention, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific direction, be constructed and operated in a specific direction, and therefore cannot be understood as a limitation on the present invention.

[0025] The "first" and "second" in this technical solution are only used to distinguish the names of the same or similar structures, or corresponding structures with similar functions, and are not an arrangement of the importance of these structures, nor do they have a ranking, comparison of size, or other meanings.

[0026] In addition, unless otherwise clearly specified and limited, the terms "installation" and "connection" should be understood in a broad sense. For example, the connection can be a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; it can be a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; it can be a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium, or it can be a connection between the two structures. For ordinary technicians in this field, the specific meanings of the above terms in this utility model can be understood based on the overall idea of ​​the utility model and the specific context of the scheme.

[0027] Example

[0028] like Figure 1-2 As shown, the embodiment of the utility model provides an underwater connection device for connecting two pipe sections 1. The structures of the two pipe sections 1 are basically the same, both of which are round pipes. The outer walls of the two ends of the pipe section 1 are respectively provided with external threads and a plurality of (for example, four) circumferentially evenly distributed pin holes, and the pin holes are blind holes. At the same time, each pin hole is arranged in an inclined shape, and the axis of the pin hole is located in the axial bisector of the pipe section 1 (not the same axial bisector), and the axis of the pin hole has the same angle with the axis of the pipe section 1. Sealing grooves are provided on the end faces of both ends of the pipe section 1, so that the two pipe sections 1 can be sealed through the sealing ring 2 therebetween when they are butt-jointed.

[0029] The underwater connection device provided in the embodiment of the utility model specifically includes a sleeve 3 , a power cylinder 10 and a power cabin 15 .

[0030] The sleeve 3 is cylindrical, and the inner walls at both ends of the sleeve 3 are respectively provided with internal threads and annular flow channel grooves 4, and a plurality of circumferentially evenly distributed pressure chambers 5. The internal threads on the inner wall of the sleeve 3 are matched with the external threads on the outer wall of the pipe section 1, and the annular flow channel grooves 4 are located between the internal threads and the pressure chambers 5, and two annular sealing grooves are also provided on the inner wall of the sleeve 3, and annular sealing rings 6 are installed in the annular sealing grooves, and the annular flow channel grooves 4 are located between the two annular sealing grooves.

[0031] In this embodiment, four flow holes 7 are also cast inside the sleeve 3, so that the four pressure chambers 5 are connected to the annular flow groove 4 through the corresponding flow holes 7. Among them, a power pin 8 is movably and sealingly installed in the pressure chamber 5. The shape and size of the power pin 8 are compatible with the pin hole opened on the outer wall of the pipe section 1. For example, they are all cylindrical, and a sealing ring (not shown in the figure) is installed on the circumferential side wall of the power pin 8. The power pin 8 is also arranged in an inclined state, and the tip of the power pin 8 faces the joint surface of the two pipe sections 1. In addition, a reset spring 9 is fixedly connected between the bottom of the pressure chamber 5 and the root of the power pin 8. The reset spring 9 is used to provide a pulling force to keep the power pin 8 away from the pipe section 1, that is, in a free state, the power pin 8 is pulled by the reset spring 9 and confined inside the pressure chamber 5.

[0032] The power cylinder 10 is a cylindrical structure with one end open and the other end closed. The open end of the power cylinder 10 is fixedly connected (for example, welded) to the outer wall of the sleeve 3, and a through hole is opened on the side wall of the sleeve 3 to facilitate the connection between the power cylinder 10 and the annular flow channel groove 4.

[0033] A piston 11 is also provided in the power cylinder 10, and a transmission screw 13 is rotatably connected to the side wall of the closed end of the power cylinder 10 through a bearing 12. At the same time, a bearing cover 14 is connected to the closed end of the power cylinder 10 through screws, and a threaded hole is provided on the end surface of the piston 11 facing the transmission screw 13, and the threaded hole is configured as a blind hole, and the transmission screw 13 is connected to the threaded hole opened on the piston 11.

[0034] The power cabin 15 is detachably connected to the power cylinder 10. For example, a plurality of latches 16 are provided on the power cabin 15, and a plurality of sockets are correspondingly provided on the power cylinder 10. The ends of the latches 16 and the bottoms of the sockets are respectively provided with magnets that attract each other.

[0035] A battery (not shown in the figure) and a motor 17 electrically connected to each other are fixedly installed in the power compartment 15. The output shaft of the motor 17 is connected to the transmission screw 13 after passing through the wall of the power compartment 15. For example, the cross section of the end of the output shaft of the motor 17 is square, and a square groove is correspondingly provided on the end surface of the corresponding transmission screw 13 facing the power compartment 15. In addition, a waterproof button 18 for controlling the start and stop state of the motor 17 is installed on the surface of the power compartment 15. For example, the waterproof button 18 can be connected in series between the battery and the motor 17 through a wire. In addition, a waterproof film (not shown in the figure) is fixed (for example, bonded) on the outer wall of the power compartment 15, and the waterproof button 18 is further covered and protected by the waterproof film.

[0036] An elastic airbag 19 is also fixedly connected to the outer wall of the power cabin 15. The elastic airbag 19 contains a powdered water-swelling material (such as polyurethane water-swelling material or acrylic water-swelling material), a water-releasing material (such as calcium carbide, alkali metal element, alkaline earth metal element, alkali metal hydride or alkaline earth metal hydride) or a mixture thereof. These powders will expand or generate gas when in contact with water, thereby increasing the volume of the elastic airbag 19 and generating buoyancy. Correspondingly, the elastic airbag 19 is also connected to a water inlet valve 20, such as a hand-tightened stop valve.

[0037] In addition, a buoyancy cabin 21 is fixed to the outer wall of the power cabin 15, and the elastic air bag 19 is located inside the buoyancy cabin 21. At the same time, a through hole is opened on the buoyancy cabin 21 to expose the water inlet valve 20 for easy operation. The buoyancy cabin 21 is also detachably connected to a buoyancy cabin door (not shown in the figure) for the elastic air bag 19 to pass through. For example, one end of the buoyancy cabin door is pivotally connected to the bulkhead of the buoyancy cabin 21 by a hinge, and the other end is connected to the bulkhead of the buoyancy cabin 21 by a snap.

[0038] The use process of the underwater connection device provided by the embodiment of the utility model is as follows:

[0039] Before use, the sleeve 3 is threadedly connected to the end of the pipe section 1 provided with an external thread, and the two can be welded and fixed if necessary; after the two pipe sections 1 with the sleeve 3 installed are put into the water, the diver drags (or drags with the help of a tool) one of the pipe sections 1 close to the sleeve 3 on the other pipe section 1 underwater until the two pipe sections 1 touch each other; then rotate one of the pipe sections 1, and ensure that the pin hole on the outer wall of the pipe section 1 is roughly aligned with the power pin 8 on the inner wall of the sleeve 3 by observing the alignment mark lines pre-set on the outer wall of the pipe section 1 and the outer wall of the sleeve 3; then press the waterproof button 18, and the motor 17 starts and drives the transmission screw 13 to rotate, and the transmission screw 13 drives the piston 11 to move toward one side of the sleeve 3, and the hydraulic medium in the power cylinder 10 is transmitted to the four pressure chambers 5 through the annular flow channel groove 4, and pushes the four power pins 8 to extend synchronously and embed into the pin holes on the outer wall of the dragged pipe section 1, thereby applying thrust to the pipe section 1, and the axial component of the thrust can press the two pipe sections 1 tightly. After the two pipe sections 1 are pressed against each other, the motor 17 is turned off by the waterproof button 18. At this time, a certain pulling force is applied to the power cabin 15 to overcome the magnetic attraction between the pin 16 and the socket, thereby separating the power cabin 15 from the power cylinder 10. Then the water inlet valve 20 is manually screwed, and water flows into the elastic air bag 19, causing the elastic air bag 19 to expand and generate buoyancy. At this time, the diver releases the power cabin 15, and the power cabin 15 can float up under the buoyancy of the expanded elastic air bag 19, thus completing the connection of the two pipe sections 1.

[0040] Compared with traditional technologies, the underwater connection device provided by the utility model does not require divers to perform a large number of threaded connection operations during use, and can achieve the connection and installation of two pipe sections 1. The installation tool also has the ability to float and recover by itself, which greatly reduces the underwater workload of divers.

[0041] It is easy to understand that when multiple pipe sections 1 need to be connected, the power cabin 15 mentioned above can reduce the number of configurations, and the number of configurations is determined specifically according to the battery power, that is, a power cabin 15 is configured for every few pipe sections 1. The power cabin 15 is usually pre-connected to the power cylinder 10 on the sleeve 3 installed on the outside of a certain pipe section 1. The diver uses a power cabin 15 to connect multiple pipe sections 1 in turn at intervals. When encountering the next sleeve 3 with a power cabin 15, the power cabin 15 in use will be floated and recovered.

[0042] The embodiments of the present invention are described in detail above with reference to the accompanying drawings, but the present invention is not limited to the described embodiments. For those skilled in the art, various changes, modifications, substitutions and variations of these embodiments are made without departing from the principles and spirit of the present invention, and still fall within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. An underwater connection device for connecting two pipe sections, wherein the outer walls at both ends of the pipe section are respectively provided with external threads and a plurality of pin holes evenly distributed in the circumferential direction, and the pin holes are blind holes, characterized in that: The underwater connection device comprises: A sleeve, wherein the inner walls at both ends of the sleeve are respectively provided with internal threads and annular flow channel grooves, and a plurality of pressure chambers evenly distributed in the circumferential direction, wherein the internal threads are matched with the external threads, and the pressure chamber is connected with the annular flow channel grooves through flow channel holes; wherein a power pin matched with the pin hole is movably and sealingly installed in the pressure chamber, and a return spring is fixedly connected between the chamber bottom of the pressure chamber and the root of the power pin, and the power pin is arranged obliquely with the tip facing the joint surface of the two pipe sections; It also includes a power cylinder and a power cabin, the power cylinder is fixedly connected to the outer wall of the sleeve, the power cylinder is communicated with the annular flow channel groove, a piston is provided in the power cylinder, a transmission screw is rotatably connected to the side wall of the power cylinder, the transmission screw is connected to the threaded hole opened on the piston, and the threaded hole is a blind hole; the power cabin is detachably connected to the power cylinder, and a battery and a motor electrically connected to each other are fixedly installed in the power cabin, the output shaft of the motor is connected to the transmission screw after passing through the cabin wall of the power cabin, and a waterproof button for controlling the start and stop state of the motor is installed on the surface of the power cabin.

2. The underwater connection device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The power cabin is also fixedly connected with an elastic airbag, in which water-swellable material, quicklime or alkaline metal is contained, and the elastic airbag is also connected with a water inlet valve.

3. The underwater connection device according to claim 2, characterized in that: A buoyancy compartment is also fixed on the power compartment, the elastic airbag is located inside the buoyancy compartment, a through hole for exposing the water inlet valve is opened on the buoyancy compartment, and a buoyancy compartment door for passing the elastic airbag is detachably connected to the buoyancy compartment.

4. The underwater connection device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The power cabin is provided with a plurality of latches, and the power cylinder is correspondingly provided with a plurality of sockets.

5. The underwater connection device according to claim 4, characterized in that: The end of the plug and the bottom of the plug hole are respectively provided with magnets that attract each other.

6. The underwater connection device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The cross section of the end of the output shaft of the motor is square, and a square groove is correspondingly arranged on the end surface of one end of the transmission screw facing the power cabin.

7. The underwater connection device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The annular flow channel groove is located between the internal thread and the pressure chamber.

8. The underwater connection device according to claim 1, characterized in that: Two annular sealing grooves are also formed on the inner wall of the sleeve, the annular flow channel groove is located between the two annular sealing grooves, and an annular sealing ring is installed in the annular sealing groove.

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